Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, has responded with personal outrage to President Donald Trump's recent ableist remarks targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom. In an interview with the Independent on Wednesday, Murkowski addressed Trump's claims that Newsom, who has dyslexia, is unfit for the presidency due to this learning disability.
Trump's Controversial Statements
On Monday, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Newsom, whom he derogatorily nicknamed "Newscum," should not be president because of his dyslexia. Trump asserted, "With a low-IQ person, you know, because Gavin 'Newscum' has admitted that he is a—that he has learning disabilities. Honestly, I'm all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I think the president should not have learning disabilities."
In further comments, Trump suggested that Newsom's condition implies cognitive deficiencies, stating, "Newsom had admitted he has mental problems, that he's not a smart person, that he's unable to read a speech. He can't read. I don't want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency."
Murkowski's Personal Defense
When asked about Trump's comments, Murkowski posed a poignant question: "Should my son not run for president?" She confirmed to the Independent that her son also has dyslexia, adding, "He's one of the smartest guys I know. I guess again, sometimes you've got to look at it in the context in which he said it, but I do not believe that those with a level of disability should automatically be excluded from being president."
Expert Rebuttal on Dyslexia and Intelligence
Michelle Qazi, president of the Academic Language Therapy Association (ALTA), strongly refuted Trump's claims in a statement to HuffPost on Wednesday. She emphasized, "That is absolutely inaccurate. When students go through all the testing to get a diagnosis of dyslexia, there are IQ tests involved, and their IQ scores are really, really high." Qazi highlighted that dyslexia does not correlate with low intelligence, challenging the stigmatizing narrative.
Background on Newsom and Political Context
Governor Gavin Newsom has been actively promoting his new memoir, where he discusses his experiences with dyslexia. He often speaks about how the condition connects him to everyday Americans, particularly voters. With Newsom considering a presidential run in 2028, his dyslexia has become a focal point in political discourse, likely prompting Trump's attacks.
Murkowski, known as a moderate Republican, has frequently criticized Trump, distinguishing herself from more supportive colleagues. She was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump after the January 6th events and opposed the appointment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Despite this, her stance has drawn criticism from both sides; for instance, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez blasted her in 2022 for expressing dismay over the overturning of Roe v. Wade after voting to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Murkowski's response underscores ongoing debates about ableism and inclusivity in American politics, as figures like Newsom challenge stereotypes associated with learning disabilities.
