Trump slams Newsom over alleged jailing of poll workers for voter ID requests: ‘Low IQ person’
🚨 HOLY CRAP! President Trump EVISCERATED Gavin Newsom for attempting to put poll workers in JAIL for asking for voter ID
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 16, 2026
"If you're an official, and you say 'may I please see your identification,' you're subject to going to JAIL! That's how crazy it's gotten!"
"Newsom ADMITTED… pic.twitter.com/UCJHztgu4c
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump criticized Gavin Newsom, accusing the California governor of trying to jail poll workers for requesting voter ID.
Trump also mocked Newsom’s February disclosure about having dyslexia and labeled him a racist, describing the governor’s recent interview as “the worst” he had ever seen in his life.
Trump slams Newsom over California voter ID law
During a White House press conference on Monday, March 16, Trump launched a sharp attack on Newsom, slamming the California governor over voter identification policies and remarks from a recent interview.
Trump said, “You know, in California, if you ask a person to show their identification, they have the right to put you in jail.”
“If you're an official, and you say ‘may I please see your identification,’ you're subject to going to jail! That's how crazy it's gotten!” Trump said while discussing voter ID rules in the state.
For context, California’s 2024 law, SB 1174, prevents local governments from requiring voters to show ID at polling places.
The law was passed after Huntington Beach voters approved a local measure to require ID in municipal elections. California law generally allows voting without ID to make it easier for people to vote. While officials who break election rules could face misdemeanor penalties, simply asking politely for a voter’s ID does not result in jail.
Trump mocks Newsom over dyslexia comments
NEW: Gavin Newsom lashes out after receiving backlash for suggesting he is just like black people because he had bad test scores, says he is a victim because of his “struggle with dyslexia.”
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 23, 2026
The response from Newsom comes after he told Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens that he was bad… pic.twitter.com/2wEUYw6wwQ
Trump then turned to Newsom personally, referencing the governor’s earlier disclosure that he has dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
“With a low IQ person you know because Gavin Newsom admitted he has learning disabilities. Honestly I am old for people with learning disabilities but not for my president. I don’t want, I think the president should not have learning disabilities, okay? And I know it’s highly controversial to say it’s such a horrible thing,” Trump said.
Continuing his criticism, Trump mocked remarks Newsom reportedly made during an interview.
“The president of the United States, Gavin Newsom, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia, everything about him is dumb! But then he looked at the audience and said ‘I'm smarter than you…’” Trump added.
Trump also accused the California governor of making inappropriate remarks during the same appearance.
“So now on top of everything else, I call him a racist because it happened to be a black audience. I will tell you, I think it was the worst interview I’ve ever seen of any human being in my life,” Trump said.
