Fact Check: Donald Trump has a low IQ

The Claim: "Donald Trump has a low IQ"

Introduction

The assertion that "Donald Trump has a low IQ" has circulated widely, often in the context of political discourse and social media. This claim is typically based on various interpretations of intelligence test scores, anecdotal evidence, and public statements made by Trump himself regarding his cognitive abilities. However, the specifics of Trump's intelligence, including any formal IQ scores, remain contentious and largely unverified.

What We Know

IQ Testing and Membership in High IQ Societies: There is no universally accepted IQ test, and scores can vary significantly based on the test administered. Reports indicate that Trump qualifies for membership in Mensa, which accepts scores from over 200 different tests, suggesting he may have a score that places him in the higher percentiles of intelligence 1 2.
Alleged IQ Score of 73: A claim that Trump scored 73 on an IQ test during his time at the New York Military Academy has been widely circulated. This assertion is based on a newspaper clipping that has been debunked as fake by multiple fact-checking organizations, including Snopes 3 8 9.
Cognitive Tests: Trump has publicly discussed taking cognitive tests, claiming he scored perfectly on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), which is not an IQ test but rather a screening tool for cognitive impairment 10.
Speculative Estimates: Various sources have speculated about Trump's IQ, with estimates ranging from 120 to 156. However, these figures lack concrete evidence, as Trump has never publicly released any official IQ test results 6.

Analysis

The claim regarding Trump's IQ is complicated by a lack of verifiable evidence. While some sources assert that he has a high IQ based on his membership in Mensa, this does not provide a definitive measure of intelligence, as the criteria for Mensa membership can vary widely depending on the test taken 1 2.

Conversely, the claim of a low IQ score of 73 is based on a debunked source, which raises questions about the reliability of this information 3 9. The dissemination of this score appears to be more a reflection of political bias than a factual assessment of Trump's cognitive abilities.

Furthermore, the context in which Trump discusses his intelligence often seems to serve a rhetorical purpose, particularly when he contrasts his cognitive abilities with those of his political opponents. This suggests a potential bias in how his intelligence is portrayed, both by Trump and by his critics 5 6.

The sources discussing Trump's IQ vary in reliability. For instance, Snopes is generally regarded as a credible fact-checking site, while other sources may have less rigorous standards or may be influenced by political agendas 3 9.

In summary, the evidence surrounding Trump's IQ is mixed and often speculative. The claims of both low and high IQ scores lack definitive proof, and the methodologies behind these assertions are questionable.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that "Donald Trump has a low IQ" remains unverified due to a lack of concrete evidence. Key points leading to this verdict include the debunked nature of the alleged low IQ score of 73, the speculative estimates of his intelligence, and the absence of any official IQ test results released by Trump. While some sources suggest he may have a high IQ based on Mensa membership, this does not provide a definitive measure of intelligence, as the criteria for such memberships can vary.

It is important to recognize that the discourse surrounding Trump's intelligence is often influenced by political biases, both from his supporters and detractors. The context in which intelligence claims are made can further complicate the assessment of their validity.

Moreover, the limitations in available evidence highlight the uncertainty surrounding this claim. Without verified IQ scores or standardized testing results, any assertions about Trump's intelligence remain speculative.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the sources and contexts of claims regarding intelligence, particularly in politically charged discussions.

Sources

BBC. "Can we tell if Donald Trump has a high IQ?" Link
MSN. "Fact Check: How smart is President-elect Donald Trump? IQ score isn't official." Link
Snopes. "Was Donald Trump's IQ Measured at 73?" Link
Ranker. "Ranking The US Presidents By IQ." Link
Yahoo. "The Internet Is Having A Field Day After Trump Bragged About ..." Link
Brain Manager. "Donald Trump IQ Fact Check: Unveiling the Mind Behind the Controversy." Link
Operation Self Reset. "Donald Trump IQ 2025 - What's the Real Number?" Link
Politifact. "Says Donald Trump scored a 73 on an IQ test administered to him while ..." Link
Economic Times. "Donald Trump's IQ controversy: How true is the 73 score?" Link
Newsweek. "Did Trump Take a Cognitive Test? Former President Boasted About His IQ ..." Link