Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom engaged in a sharp exchange on social media after Newsom accused the senator of calling him “illiterate.”

As Fox News reported, the dispute began when Cruz referred to Newsom as “historically illiterate.” Newsom, who has previously spoken publicly about being dyslexic, responded by accusing Cruz of attacking his reading ability.

"Ted Cruz calling a dyslexic person illiterate is a new low, even for him," Newsom wrote.

Ted Cruz calling a dyslexic person illiterate is a new low, even for him. https://t.co/XC75ybiGKd

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 16, 2026

Cruz quickly responded, arguing that his remark was about history, not literacy.

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"I didn’t say you couldn’t read, you [clown emoji]," Cruz wrote.

"I said you were 'historically illiterate'," he added, before elaborating on his point by referencing a specific historical event involving federal authority over state officials.

Cruz continued, "because you apparently have no idea that Eisenhower federalized the National Guard to stop Dem governors from defying federal law. Specifically, on September 23, 1957, President Eisenhower issued Executive Order 10730, federalizing the Arkansas National Guard & ordering U.S. Army troops (101st Airborne Div) to Little Rock, Arkansas. This action broke the blockade by Dem Gov Orval Faubus, allowing the Little Rock Nine to desegregate Central High School."

I didn’t say you couldn’t read, you

I said you were “historically illiterate”… ….because you apparently have no idea that Eisenhower federalized the national guard to stop Dem governors from defying federal law. Specifically, on September 23, 1957, President Eisenhower… https://t.co/63z3botBKs — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 17, 2026

Cruz’s reference pointed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s decision during the civil rights era to intervene in Arkansas after then-Gov. Orval Faubus resisted federal desegregation orders.

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The executive order authorized federal control of the Arkansas National Guard and deployed the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the integration of Central High School in Little Rock.

The exchange quickly drew attention from other public figures.

Conservative talk radio host and OutKick founder Clay Travis weighed in on Newsom’s accusation.

"He called you ‘historically illiterate,’ which means you don’t know basic history. You not having ever heard of this phrase or knowing what it means makes you a moron," Travis wrote.

He called you “historically illiterate,” which means you don’t know basic history. You not having ever heard of this phrase or knowing what it means makes you a moron. https://t.co/Zpju0Ljw1o

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 16, 2026

The social media back-and-forth centered on the meaning of Cruz’s original comment and whether it referenced Newsom’s ability to read or his knowledge of history.

Cruz maintained that his statement was limited to historical awareness and cited Eisenhower’s actions in 1957 as evidence supporting his argument.

Newsom did not immediately issue further clarification beyond his initial post referencing dyslexia.

The exchange unfolded publicly on X, where both officials and commentators posted their remarks. Cruz’s use of a clown emoji became part of the dispute as the conversation gained traction online.

The clash highlights ongoing political tensions between Republican and Democratic leaders on matters related to federal authority, historical precedent, and public rhetoric.

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