On CNN Saturday Morning’s “Table for Five,” Sidner played a clip of President Donald Trump saying Newsom should not run for president, referencing his dyslexia and calling him “stupid.” She then asked Borelli whether Trump’s remarks were a mistake.
Borelli said Trump was wrong to link dyslexia with intelligence but did not object to the insult itself.
“Is it right to call Gavin Newsom stupid? Yes, why not?” Borelli said. “Trump gets called every name in the book all the time.”
Sidner cut in to point out that Trump is the president.
“He’s the president who gets called a dictator, a fascist, a white supremacist, a racist,” Borelli replied. He went on to argue that Newsom’s record on issues like high-speed rail, energy policy, and sanctuary cities reflects poor decision-making. “Those things indicate to me that, yes, he is stupid,” he said, adding that people continue to leave California because of those policies. “Dyslexia is a different thing.”
Sidner responded by noting that California remains one of the country’s largest economic engines.
NEW: @JoeBorelliNYC PUMMELS Gavin Newsom as CNN Host Sara Sidner *repeatedly* runs cover for him
BORELLI: “Is it right to call Gavin Newsom stupid? Yeah, why not? Trump gets called EVERY single name in the book.”
SIDNER: “But he’s the president!”
Is it appropriate to label Gavin Newsom as stupid?BORELLI: “I think Gavin… pic.twitter.com/51tHaPb8u5
— Jason Cohen
NEW: 
(@JasonJournoDC) Borelli acknowledged the state’s economic strength but attributed much of it to its size and population, arguing that outmigration tells a different story. “More people have left the state of California because of decisions made by not just Gavin Newsom, but the legislature as well,” he said.
Newsom has faced ongoing criticism from some voters over issues such as crime and homelessness.
Hoover Institution fellow Victor Davis Hanson echoed that criticism earlier in the week, calling Newsom “stupid” during an episode of his show.
Meanwhile, Democratic strategist James Carville reacted angrily in a March 19 Politicon video to Trump’s comments about Newsom’s dyslexia, saying he embraces his own learning challenges and urging others to reject Trump’s remarks.
Looking ahead, Newsom is polling near the top of potential Democratic candidates for 2028, ranking just behind former Vice President Kamala Harris in RealClearPolling averages. An April survey from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that 54 percent of registered voters believe Newsom is acting in ways that could benefit a future presidential run, while 26 percent think he is primarily focused on governing the state.
