Political Tensions Surrounding Gavin Newsom

Former Republican New York City Councilman Joe Borelli criticized Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom while CNN host Sarah Sydner came to Newsom’s defense. This exchange unfolded during a segment on CNN’s “Table for Five,” where a clip of President Donald Trump suggesting that Newsom shouldn’t run for president due to his dyslexia—calling him “stupid”—was shown.

Sydner asked Borelli if Trump’s comments were a “big mistake,” to which he clarified that while he believed equating dyslexia with a lack of intelligence was wrong, he still thought Newsom was “stupid.” Borelli remarked, “Is it right to call Gavin Newsom an idiot? Yes, and why? I mean, Trump gets called all sorts of names all the time.”

Sydner interjected, reminding Borelli that Trump is the president. Borelli responded, pointing out that Trump himself has faced numerous harsh labels, like dictator and racist. He expressed doubt over Trump’s condemnation: “I think Gavin Newsom is stupid because he made foolish decisions about high-speed rail, energy, and sanctuary city policies.” Borelli emphasized that these decisions are driving people out of California, making the governor’s intelligence a valid target for criticism.

Sydner tried to counter by mentioning California’s economic status, noting it’s one of the largest economies in the United States. However, Borelli attributed that strength primarily to the state’s large population and mentioned that many residents are choosing to leave due to legislative decisions. “People involved in minerals left California because of the choices made by the California Legislature, not just Gavin Newsom,” he stated, underscoring the ongoing controversy around the governor’s policies.

Newsom has been under fire from voters in California, particularly regarding issues related to crime and homelessness. Victor Davis Hanson from the Hoover Institution echoed criticisms of Newsom on his own show, labeling his comments as “dirty, mean, and self-incriminating.”

Furthermore, Democratic strategist James Carville expressed his anger in a video about Newsom’s remarks on dyslexia, asserting that he embraces his learning differences. “I love that I’m dyslexic. I love that I have a short attention span,” Carville declared, shifting the focus back to the importance of understanding learning disabilities.

Currently, Newsom stands second in the 2028 Democratic primary rankings, trailing former Vice President Kamala Harris. An April poll by the Berkeley Institute of Government indicated that a majority of voters believe Newsom is prioritizing his presidential ambitions over addressing California’s challenges. In that poll, 54% of 6,201 registered voters felt he was acting to benefit his candidacy, while only 26% felt he was effectively leading the state.