The President of the United States believes people with learning disabilities should not be president.
“Honestly, I am all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don’t think a president should have a learning disability.” said Donald Trump in a recent comment made to reporters.
This comment was directed at California’s governors Gavin Newsom. Newsom is a potential 2028 Democratic candidate for the president.
This sparked outrage among those with learning disabilities, The National Center for Learning disabilities says it was “disturbed by and strongly condemns” the Republican president’s remarks.”
“In fact, people with learning disabilities have risen to the upper echelon of every public office in the United States, including former Presidents,” said Jackie Rodriguez, CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities in a written statement. “Leaders must uphold personal and professional standards of integrity, good judgment, and a commitment to public service. These are characteristics we should expect, and none of them are related to learning disabilities.”
“For decades, students with learning disabilities have been told, directly or indirectly, that they should lower their expectations about what they can achieve. Many people still do not disclose a learning disability due to fear of negative reactions, such as the ones made by the President today. They perpetuate the very same stigma that families, educators, and advocates have been working tirelessly to dismantle,” said Rodriguez.
As someone who has learning disabilities myself, I found the president’s remarks and name‑calling deeply inappropriate and disappointing.
Hearing a public leader mock something that affects so many people feels not only unprofessional, but genuinely hurtful.
I’m honestly troubled that someone in such an influential position would choose to use their platform in a way that comes across as bullying rather than leadership.
I feel continued comments like this that President Trump makes add fuel to our country that is already divided on so many levels.
NCLD Statement Responding to Administration Remarks About Learning Disabilities
