Gavin Newsom Spokesperson Tells Reporter to ‘F*ck Off’ Over a Dyslexia Question

A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded with an expletive after a reporter requested proof of the governor’s childhood dyslexia diagnosis, as reported by The New York Post.

Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s communications director, sent the message to Real Clear Politics reporter Susan Crabtree on Monday after Crabtree asked for documentation related to Newsom’s medical history.

“Hey Susan — thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, f–k off,” Gardon wrote, according to a screenshot of the email exchange that was later shared on X.

EXCLUSIVE and BREAKING: What about that @GavinNewsom dyslexia disgnosis – can the gov. provide any paperwork related to his dyslexia diagnosis at any time of his life?

Newsom’s comms team just now tells me to “fuck off.”

Think @GavinNewsom’s comms team is losing it today? pic.twitter.com/oT3GoK5Cxi

— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) February 23, 2026

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Crabtree had earlier asked for evidence that could address critics who questioned Newsom’s prior statements that he had been diagnosed with dyslexia as a child.

Here’s the exact questions I asked his taxpayer-funded comms team to elicit the “fuck you” response — I live in California, BTW. pic.twitter.com/tqTv8FKwRK

— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) February 23, 2026

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Newsom has previously said he was diagnosed with the reading disorder in 1972 when he was about 5 years old. The issue resurfaced Sunday night in Atlanta, where the Democrat appeared at an event to promote his new memoir.

During remarks in Atlanta, Newsom referenced his dyslexia while speaking with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The exchange drew renewed scrutiny after Newsom cited his SAT score in an effort to relate to 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,” Newsom continued. “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.”

Gov. Newsom to a black crowd in GA: “I am like you. I’m a 960 SAT guy. I can’t read.” pic.twitter.com/4Gk0WKbIYz

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 23, 2026

Following the event, critics accused Newsom of making racially insensitive remarks. As criticism mounted, the governor responded on X with a series of posts defending himself and referencing past controversies involving President Barack Obama.

“You didn’t give a sh*t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President [Barack] Obama or calling African nations sh*tholes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom wrote.

“Spare me your fake f**king outrage.”

The exchange with Crabtree and the governor’s subsequent response unfolded as Newsom continues to draw national attention. He is widely viewed as a potential Democratic contender in 2028.

The dyslexia diagnosis has been part of Newsom’s public narrative for years. He has cited it as a personal challenge dating back to childhood, describing difficulties with reading and public speaking.

The latest episode, however, has shifted attention from his memoir promotion to questions about his communications team’s response to media inquiries and the tone of his own statements online.

Neither Gardon nor the governor’s office publicly provided documentation related to the 1972 diagnosis in response to Crabtree’s inquiry.

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