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Isaac Gardon, communications director for California Governor Gavin Newsom, has come under scrutiny following a profane exchange with a journalist, all while drawing a substantial six-figure salary from taxpayer funds.
The controversy began when Real Clear Politics national correspondent Susan Crabtree contacted Gardon to verify details about Newsom’s dyslexia diagnosis, which has gained renewed attention during the governor’s nationwide book tour. In response, Gardon told Crabtree to “respectfully, f— off,” triggering backlash across political circles.
According to public records from Transparent California, Gardon’s compensation package totals $212,154.02 annually, including $152,091.05 in base salary, nearly $57,000 in benefits, and over $3,000 in additional compensation. This represents a dramatic rise from his position as an administrative assistant earning approximately $30,000 in 2019.
When contacted for this article, Gardon defended his response to Crabtree, telling reporters that “Susan is not a journalist” but rather “a MAGA blogger who writes about conspiracy theories.”
The incident stemmed from questions surrounding comments Newsom made during a book tour stop in Atlanta. While discussing his dyslexia with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom remarked, “I’m like you. I’m no better than you. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy.” The statement drew criticism from Republicans and conservative commentators who characterized it as pandering to Black audiences.
This isn’t the first time Gardon’s communication style has raised eyebrows. He recently referred to rapper and Donald Trump supporter Nicki Minaj as a “stupid hoe” on social media, later claiming the comment referenced her 2012 song of the same name. In another exchange with a California Post reporter, Gardon dismissively referred to the New York Post as the “New York Comic Book” and suggested the San Francisco Chronicle belonged “in the same bucket.”
While some within Newsom’s administration have praised Gardon’s approach, including his supervisor Bob Salladay, who told Politico that “Izzy’s creativity and imagination is part of what the governor is doing,” others have been openly critical. Garry Tan, a prominent Democratic donor and CEO of Y Combinator, wrote on social media: “Most unprofessional person to ever work in politics. Izzy Gardon brings shame to the Newsom campaign.”
The controversy highlights the increasingly combative nature of political communications in California. Newsom’s press office has developed a reputation for meeting hostile social media posts from the White House with similarly aggressive messaging targeting Trump and Republicans.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for Newsom, who is currently promoting his memoir, “Young Man In A Hurry,” across the country. While his dyslexia diagnosis has been public knowledge for decades, the condition has become a focal point during his book tour as he discusses personal challenges throughout his life and career.
Critics, including Real Clear Politics’ Carl Cannon, have questioned the increasingly hostile tone in political communications, wondering why those offended by Trump’s rhetoric “consistently imitate his worst behavior.”
As Newsom continues his national book tour with stops across several states, the controversy surrounding his communications director adds an unexpected subplot to what was intended to be a carefully orchestrated rollout of the governor’s personal narrative and political vision.
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12 Comments
Calling a reporter a ‘MAGA blogger’ and telling them to ‘f— off’ is hardly the kind of response one would expect from a communications director. This will likely further damage the governor’s public image.
Absolutely. Dismissing a journalist’s questions in such a hostile manner is unprofessional and counterproductive, especially for someone in a senior communications role.
This seems like an inappropriate and unprofessional response from a government staffer, regardless of one’s views on the reporter. Taxpayers expect civil discourse from public officials, even in sensitive situations.
Agreed. Resorting to profanity undermines public trust and the credibility of the governor’s office. The high salary also raises questions about the appropriate use of public funds.
This incident raises concerns about the management and accountability of the governor’s communications team. Taxpayer-funded salaries should come with a higher level of professionalism and responsibility.
Agreed. The governor’s office needs to take a close look at its hiring practices and ensure its staff are equipped to handle sensitive situations in a measured and constructive way.
While the reporter’s questions may have been sensitive, the staffer’s response was highly inappropriate. It’s crucial for public officials to uphold a professional and courteous demeanor, even in challenging situations.
Absolutely. The governor’s office should address this incident promptly and ensure its staff adhere to high standards of conduct when engaging with the media and the public.
This type of behavior from a government staffer is concerning. Regardless of one’s political views, public officials should maintain a certain level of decorum when engaging with the press and the public.
I agree. The high salary only compounds the issue, as taxpayers deserve to see their money used responsibly and ethically by government employees.
While the reporter’s questions may have been challenging, the staffer’s response was unacceptable. Government officials should always strive to maintain a professional and courteous demeanor, regardless of the circumstances.
Absolutely. The high salary only compounds the issue, as taxpayers deserve to see their money used responsibly and ethically by public servants.