Fact Check: Low IQ is what elected Trump.

Published July 10, 2025

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# Fact Check: "Low IQ is what elected Trump" ## What We Know The claim that former President Donald Trump has a low IQ has been a topic of debate and...

Fact Check: "Low IQ is what elected Trump"

What We Know

The claim that former President Donald Trump has a low IQ has been a topic of debate and speculation, often fueled by Trump's own comments about his intelligence. Trump has publicly boasted about his IQ, asserting it is higher than that of several notable figures, including former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. However, no official IQ score for Trump has been released, and much of the discourse surrounding his intelligence is based on speculation and unverified claims (TruthOrFake Blog).

The article "Intellectual Brilliance and Presidential Performance" by Dean Keith Simonton discusses the broader topic of presidential intelligence and performance, noting that IQ is not the sole predictor of presidential success. The article emphasizes traits such as intellectual brilliance and openness to experience as more relevant indicators of a president's capability (TruthOrFake Blog). Despite various rumors, such as the claim that Trump's IQ was measured at 73 during his time at the New York Military Academy, these assertions have been debunked as false (Snopes).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding Trump's IQ is largely speculative and unsubstantiated. The BBC article highlights that Trump has frequently mentioned IQ in public discourse, often using it as a rhetorical tool to challenge or belittle opponents. However, the lack of an official IQ score makes it impossible to verify claims about his intelligence (BBC).

The article "Intellectual Brilliance and Presidential Performance" provides a critical perspective on the relevance of IQ in assessing presidential performance. It argues that while intelligence is important, other traits such as creativity, insight, and wisdom are more indicative of a president's effectiveness. This view is supported by historical assessments of past presidents, where those with high IQs were not always the most successful or effective leaders (TruthOrFake Blog).

The reliability of sources claiming specific IQ scores for Trump is questionable. For instance, the Snopes article and Yahoo News fact check both debunk the claim of a 73 IQ score, indicating that such figures are often part of misinformation campaigns (Snopes, Yahoo). Additionally, the Economic Times article notes that Trump has used the term "low-IQ" as an insult, further complicating the discourse around his own intelligence (Economic Times).

Conclusion

Unverified: The claim that Trump has a low IQ cannot be definitively proven or disproven based on the available evidence. While Trump has made various public statements about his intelligence, no official IQ score has been released. The discourse surrounding his IQ is often based on speculation and unverified claims, making it difficult to reach a conclusive verdict. Further research and credible evidence would be necessary to substantiate any claims about Trump's IQ.

Sources

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