California Governor Gavin Newsom’s spokesperson abused a reporter after she asked for proof that the Democrat was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child.
Newsom’s comms director, Izzy Gardon, sent the response when Real Clear Politics reporter Susan Crabtree emailed on Monday about the governor’s medical history, New York Post reported.
“Hey Susan — thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, f–k off,” the press team staffer wrote, according to a screenshot of the exchange shared on X.
In an earlier email, Crabtree asked for evidence that could combat critics who were dubious of Newsom’s prior claims of a dyslexia diagnosis. The Democrat revealed in the past that he was diagnosed with the reading disorder back in 1972 when he was around 5 years old.
Newsom’s diagnosis returned to 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 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.”
