A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom responded sharply to a reporter’s request for documentation of the governor’s dyslexia diagnosis, igniting criticism over the tone and transparency of the exchange, Fox News reports.
The controversy began when RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree emailed Newsom’s office seeking medical records confirming his dyslexia diagnosis, which Newsom has said was made when he was a child in 1972. According to an email shared publicly by Crabtree, Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, replied, “Hey Susan — thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, f— off.”
When contacted by Fox News Digital to clarify whether his response reflected his personal views or the governor’s position, Gardon doubled down, stating, “Yes, Susan can f— off.” When pressed further on whether the remark was endorsed by Newsom, Gardon added, “The governor literally has no idea who Susan is.”
Newsom has spoken publicly about his dyslexia since at least 2004, when he was serving as mayor of San Francisco. The renewed attention to the subject followed his remarks at a book event in Atlanta, Georgia, over the weekend, which drew controversy for their tone and content.
Speaking alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom referenced his learning difficulties as part of a broader discussion about personal challenges, saying he struggled with reading and often avoids prepared remarks.
“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 told Mayor Dickens, who is black, during an exchange, according to Fox News.
He also mentioned his SAT score, describing himself as a “960 SAT guy,” and said, “Maybe I’m in the wrong business,” a quip that some found self-deprecating, while others viewed it as dismissive.
According to the outlet, “critics accuse Newsom of demeaning the intelligence of black people with those comments. It has been disputed whether Newsom was speaking in front of a majority-Black audience as footage of the event showed many white people in the crowd. The governor and his defenders vehemently reject the racism charges.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Crabtree suggested that Gardon’s reaction may have been influenced by her recent work co-authoring a book that examined alleged corruption within California’s government.
“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.”
The incident adds to the scrutiny surrounding Newsom, who is increasingly viewed as a potential Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential election. While his defenders say the exchange reflects frustration with partisan attacks, critics contend it reveals a dismissive attitude toward media accountability.