Donald Trump has said he believes people with learning disabilities should not be president, as he renewed his taunts at California Governor Gavin Newsom over his dyslexia.
President Trump described Newsom, a potential Democratic White House contender, as 'dumb', and previously ridiculed the California governor's reading and spelling difficulties. In response, Newsom referred to Trump as 'a brain-dead moron'.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities expressed its strong disapproval of Trump's comments, stating that they were disturbed by his remarks.
Dyslexia, which affects how the brain processes written language, impacts an estimated one in five Americans.
In an interaction with reporters, Trump stated: 'Honestly, I'm all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don't want, I think a president should not have learning disabilities.' He mocked Newsom, further adding that everything about him is 'dumb.'
Newsom responded on social media, saying he believes in free elections and hinted at Trump's apparent confusion over his title, referring to Trump’s incorrect claims.
Trump went on to assert that Newsom had a 'mental disorder' and heightened accusations of racism against him.
Critics highlighted that statements like Trump's perpetuate harmful stereotypes regarding learning disabilities, undermining the capabilities of those who are affected by them, while supporters of Newsom voiced their frustration over Trump's remarks.
The conversation around the impact of learning disabilities has gained more attention, with advocacy groups stressing that such conditions do not correlate with a person's intelligence or leadership qualities. Historical accounts suggest that past US presidents like George Washington and John F. Kennedy may have had similar challenges.
