UNPROFESSIONAL: Newsom staffer tells reporter to "respectfully, f--- off" over dyslexia inquiry
Isaac "Izzy" Gardon, communications director for California Governor Gavin Newsom, sparked controversy this week after telling Real Clear Politics national correspondent Susan Crabtree to "respectfully, f--- off" in an email response.
The exchange occurred when Crabtree sought verification or paperwork related to Newsom's long-public childhood dyslexia diagnosis. The request came amid renewed scrutiny during Newsom's book tour for his memoir Young Man in a Hurry, following a stop in Atlanta where the governor referenced his reported 960 SAT score while discussing his learning disability with Mayor Andre Dickens.
Newsom had said, "I’m like you. I’m no better than you. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy," remarks that drew criticism from Republicans, including California GOP chairwoman Corrin Rankin, who accused him of pandering and invoking stereotypes.
Gardon, who has served as one of Newsom's most vocal online defenders, dismissed Crabtree as "not a journalist" but "a MAGA blogger who writes about conspiracy theories."
Public records from Transparent California reveal Gardon's rapid career ascent and hefty compensation: he started as an administrative assistant in 2019, earning around $30,000 annually, but received $152,091 in regular pay in 2024, plus nearly $57,000 in benefits and other compensation, for a total of $212,154. His current salary as a senior aide is believed to be even higher.
The incident fits a pattern of Gardon's combative style, including prior social media clashes and dismissive emails to other outlets, such as calling the New York Post the "New York Comic Book."
(read more below)
Prominent Democratic donor and Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan called Gardon "the most unprofessional person to ever work in politics" and said he "brings shame to the Newsom campaign."
The episode has amplified broader questions about the tone of Newsom's press office, especially as the governor—widely viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender—faces heightened national attention during his book promotion.