1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

Publicly condemn President Trump's recent statements attacking Governor Newsom's dyslexia and claiming it disqualifies him from the presidency. These comments are offensive, factually wrong, and dangerous for the millions of Americans living with learning differences. As a special education professional, I know that dyslexia affects roughly 20% of the population and has zero connection to intelligence. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity confirms this. Trump's claim that someone with dyslexia shouldn't be president is discriminatory and contradicts decades of research. His statement that "the president should not have learning disabilities" perpetuates harmful stigma that educators like me work every day to dismantle. Trump's pattern of mocking people with disabilities, from the reporter he ridiculed in 2015 to these recent attacks, reveals a fundamental disrespect for millions of Americans. For someone who regularly struggles to articulate coherent ideas even when reading prepared remarks, his hypocrisy is staggering. Stand up for your constituents with learning differences. Issue a statement condemning these attacks and reaffirming that disability status has no bearing on someone's fitness for office. Your silence on this issue sends a message about whose dignity matters.