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 said Newsom, a potential Democratic White House contender, was 'dumb'. He also made fun last week of the California governor's difficulty with reading and spelling, prompting Newsom to call him 'a brain-dead moron'.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities told the BBC it was 'disturbed by and strongly condemns' the Republican president's remarks. Dyslexia, a learning condition that disrupts how the brain processes written language, affects as many as one in five Americans.
'With a low IQ person, you know, because Gavin Newscum has admitted that he is a, that he has learning disabilities,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. Newscum is Trump's nickname for the governor. '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, OK? And I know it's highly controversial to say such a horrible thing.' He added, 'The President of the United States, Gavin Newscum, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia. Everything about him is dumb.'
Newsom responded with sarcasm on social media, saying, 'NO THANK YOU, WE BELIEVE IN FREE ELECTIONS!' during Trump's remarks. During an on-stage conversation last month, he discussed his dyslexia, admitting, 'I'm like you,' and added, 'You've never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech.'
The National Center for Learning Disabilities criticized Trump's comments, stating that dyslexia does not impair a person's intelligence, judgement, or ability to lead. 'In fact, people with learning disabilities have risen to the upper echelon of every public office in the United States, including former presidents,' said its chief executive. Past U.S. presidents may have had dyslexia, according to some researchers, with estimates suggesting that 15-20% of the population is affected by this condition.}
The National Center for Learning Disabilities told the BBC it was 'disturbed by and strongly condemns' the Republican president's remarks. Dyslexia, a learning condition that disrupts how the brain processes written language, affects as many as one in five Americans.
'With a low IQ person, you know, because Gavin Newscum has admitted that he is a, that he has learning disabilities,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. Newscum is Trump's nickname for the governor. '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, OK? And I know it's highly controversial to say such a horrible thing.' He added, 'The President of the United States, Gavin Newscum, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia. Everything about him is dumb.'
Newsom responded with sarcasm on social media, saying, 'NO THANK YOU, WE BELIEVE IN FREE ELECTIONS!' during Trump's remarks. During an on-stage conversation last month, he discussed his dyslexia, admitting, 'I'm like you,' and added, 'You've never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech.'
The National Center for Learning Disabilities criticized Trump's comments, stating that dyslexia does not impair a person's intelligence, judgement, or ability to lead. 'In fact, people with learning disabilities have risen to the upper echelon of every public office in the United States, including former presidents,' said its chief executive. Past U.S. presidents may have had dyslexia, according to some researchers, with estimates suggesting that 15-20% of the population is affected by this condition.}
