Cruz Labels Newsom ‘Historically Illiterate’ in Escalating Social Media Exchange

In a heated exchange on social media, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and California Governor Gavin Newsom clashed over terminology, highlighting growing tensions between the two high-profile politicians from opposite sides of the political spectrum.

The dispute began when Newsom accused Cruz of calling him “illiterate,” a claim that Cruz quickly refuted. The Texas senator clarified that he had actually described Newsom as “historically illiterate,” a significant distinction that sparked a brief but intense back-and-forth between the political rivals.

Newsom, who has been open about his dyslexia, responded by writing, “Ted Cruz calling a dyslexic person illiterate is a new low, even for him.” The California governor’s response appeared to suggest that Cruz’s comment was insensitive to his learning disability.

Cruz swiftly rejected this characterization, posting on social media: “I didn’t say you couldn’t read, you [clown emoji].” The Republican senator elaborated that his criticism was specifically about Newsom’s apparent lack of historical knowledge, not his reading ability.

In his detailed rebuttal, Cruz referenced President Eisenhower’s actions in 1957 when he federalized the Arkansas National Guard through Executive Order 10730. Cruz explained that this historical precedent involved Eisenhower ordering U.S. Army troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to counter Democratic Governor Orval Faubus’s resistance to school desegregation, ultimately allowing the Little Rock Nine to attend Central High School.

The exchange drew attention from other conservative figures, including radio host and OutKick founder Clay Travis, who sided with Cruz. Travis remarked that “historically illiterate” refers to someone who “doesn’t know basic history” and suggested Newsom’s misinterpretation of the phrase demonstrated a lack of understanding.

This public dispute occurs as both politicians maintain significant national profiles. Newsom, who has served as California’s governor since 2019, has been increasingly active on the national stage, fueling speculation about potential presidential ambitions for 2028. His administration has positioned California as a progressive counterweight to conservative policies, often directly challenging Republican-led states.

Cruz, a two-term senator and former presidential candidate, continues to be an influential voice in Republican circles. Known for his confrontational style, Cruz has frequently criticized Democratic policies, particularly those implemented in California under Newsom’s leadership.

The exchange highlights the increasingly polarized nature of American politics, where disagreements between prominent figures from opposing parties quickly escalate into public confrontations. Social media has amplified these disputes, allowing politicians to engage directly with each other while their followers witness and participate in real-time.

The incident also underscores how political discourse can sometimes veer into personal territory, with Newsom attempting to frame Cruz’s comment as an attack on his learning disability rather than a critique of his knowledge of historical events.

As both Newsom and Cruz maintain their national profiles, such public disputes may become more common, particularly as the 2028 presidential election cycle approaches and potential candidates begin positioning themselves for higher office.

Neither politician has indicated any intention to de-escalate their disagreement, suggesting that the political rivalry between these representatives of America’s progressive West Coast and conservative South will likely continue in the public sphere.