A recent exchange between California Governor Gavin Newsom’s team and a journalist has sparked controversy. In a bold move, Newsom’s spokesperson responded with a blunt “f–k off” after being asked for evidence of the governor’s childhood dyslexia diagnosis.
The incident unfolded when Susan Crabtree, a reporter from Real Clear Politics, reached out on Monday inquiring about Newsom’s medical history. Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s communications director, replied with the expletive-laden response, which was later shared on social media platform X.
Crabtree’s inquiry aimed to address skepticism surrounding Newsom’s claims of having been diagnosed with dyslexia. The governor has previously stated that he was diagnosed with the condition in 1972, at the age of five.
The topic of Newsom’s dyslexia resurfaced when he mentioned it during a Sunday night event in Atlanta, where he was promoting his memoir. As the discussion around his diagnosis grows, the exchange between Crabtree and Gardon adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
The Democrat revealed in the past that he was diagnosed with the reading disorder back in 1972 when he was around 5 years of age.
Newsom’s diagnosis was thrust back into the spotlight after he mentioned the disorder at an event in Atlanta on Sunday night to promote his new memoir.
In the wake of that interview, Newsom quickly came under fire after he was accused of racism for citing his underwhelming SAT score during a chat with black Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
“I’m not trying to impress you, I’m just trying to impress upon you, ‘I’m like you. I’m not better than you.’ I’m a 960 SAT guy,” Newsom told Dickens.
“And I’m not trying to offend anyone,” the potential 2028 Democratic contender went on. “I’m not trying to act all there if you got 940 … You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”
As the backlash over his remarks mounted, Newsom launched into his own expletive-laden rant as he fired back at his critics.
“You didn’t give a s–t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President [Barack] Obama or calling African nations s—holes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom fumed on X.
“Spare me your fake f–king outrage.”
