Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 17: US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after saying that individuals with learning disabilities should not become president, in remarks aimed at California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump referred to Newsom’s public disclosure of dyslexia and suggested that such conditions should disqualify a person from holding the top office.

“I’m all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I think a president should not have learning disabilities,” Trump said, adding that his view may be controversial.

The remarks come amid an ongoing war of words between the two leaders. Newsom, who is widely seen as a potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election, has previously spoken about his dyslexia, including challenges with reading and academic performance.

Trump has repeatedly targeted Newsom in recent days over the issue, including during an earlier interview, where he reiterated that a president “can’t have a learning disability.”

Dyslexia is a recognised learning disorder that affects reading and spelling abilities, as defined by organisations such as the International Dyslexia Association.

Newsom’s team responded to Trump’s latest remarks with a tongue-in-cheek video on social media, while the governor himself hit back strongly in a post, criticising Trump’s comments.

The exchange marks a further escalation in tensions between the two leaders, who have frequently clashed on political and policy issues in recent years.