Newsom spokesperson gives reporter expletive-laden response for requesting dyslexia records

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A top spokesperson for Gavin Newsom fired off an expletive-laden response to a reporter who asked for documentation of the governor’s long-discussed dyslexia diagnosis, telling her to “f**k off.”

This comes as Newsom faces scrutiny over comments he made during a book tour stop in Atlanta on Sunday, February 22, where he once again referenced his learning disability.

Gavin Newsom's comms team lashes out at RealClearPolitics correspondent

The exchange began when RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree sought proof of Newsom’s dyslexia diagnosis, which the governor has previously said he received in 1972 as a young child.

According to a screenshot Crabtree shared on X, Newsom’s communications director Izzy Gardon responded on Monday with what began as a polite note.

"Hey Susan — thanks for reaching out," Gardon wrote.

But it didn’t stay polite for long.

"Respectfully, f**k off," Gardon added.

When Fox News later asked Gardon whether he was speaking personally or on behalf of Newsom and whether the governor approved the response, he doubled down.

"Yes, Susan can f**k off," Gardon replied.

Pressed further on whether those words reflected the governor’s own view, Gardon said, "The governor literally has no idea who Susan is."

Crabtree suggested the hostility may have been personal. In a statement to Fox News, she said a book she co-authored last year about California corruption may have "got under Mr. Gardon’s skin."

"Californians and all Americans deserve real answers about Newsom’s claims, not lazy, expletive-laced deflections and hand gestures from a politician from a failed state who wants to be president," Crabtree said. "I’m going to continue to ask the tough questions despite this vitriolic taxpayer-funded attempt to intimidate me."

Gavin Newsom's remarks that sparked backlash

The email blowup comes on the heels of controversy over Newsom’s appearance at a book tour event in Atlanta, where he sat down with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

During the exchange, Newsom referenced his academic struggles and dyslexia while speaking to Dickens, who is Black.

"I'm not, you know, I'm not trying to impress you, I'm just trying to impress upon you, I'm like you. I'm no better than you," Newsom said.

He continued, "You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy. And, you know, and I'm not trying to offend anyone, you know, ‘trying to act all there' if you got 940. Literally a 960 SAT guy, you’ve never seen me read a speech. Because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in."

Critics accused Newsom of demeaning the intelligence of Black people with those remarks, with some labeling the comments racist.

Newsom’s office pushed back on social media.

"First MAGA mocked his dyslexia, and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is MAGA-manufactured outrage," Gardon said. "The Governor has said this publicly for years — including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences. The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist ape video can go f**k themselves."

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens defends Gavin Newsom

Dickens posted a defense of Newsom on Instagram.

"Take it from someone who was actually in the chair asking the questions: context matters more than a headline. The conversation around his new book included him speaking about his own academic struggles, including not doing well on the SAT," the mayor wrote.

"That wasn’t an attack on anyone. It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey. We’ve gotten so used to loud, chest-pounding politics that when someone speaks about shortcomings, people try to twist it into something else. Let me be clear though. This is Atlanta. We don’t need anyone to tell us when to be offended. And history has shown... when we are, you’ll know. If you want the full context, watch the full clip, read the book, and engage the complete conversation," he added.