Fact Check: Trump Claims He Aced an IQ Test at Walter Reed Medical Center
What We Know
Recently, former President Donald Trump stated that he took a cognitive test during his physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and claimed he "aced" the test, stating, "I got every answer right" (source-1). This assertion aligns with previous claims made by Trump regarding cognitive tests, as he had also mentioned passing a similar test during a physical examination in 2018 (source-2).
In a recent press interaction, Trump reiterated his claim while challenging Democratic representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett to take an intelligence test, emphasizing his own performance on the cognitive test (source-3).
Analysis
Trump's claim about acing the cognitive test is based on his own statements, which have been consistent over time. The cognitive test he refers to is likely the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a screening tool used to detect cognitive impairment. While Trump asserts he received a perfect score, there is no independent verification of his results, as presidents are not required to disclose detailed medical information (source-1).
The reliability of Trump's statements can be questioned due to his history of making exaggerated claims about his health and intelligence. For instance, while he has previously claimed to have "aced" cognitive tests, critics have pointed out that the tests are not IQ tests and do not measure intelligence in the conventional sense (source-5). Furthermore, the context in which he makes these claims often appears to be politically motivated, as seen in his recent challenge to Ocasio-Cortez and Crockett, which may serve more as a rhetorical device than a genuine invitation for comparison (source-6).
While Trump's assertion about acing the test is consistent with his past claims, the lack of independent verification and the context of his statements suggest that they should be viewed with caution.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Trump did take a cognitive test at Walter Reed Medical Center and claimed to have aced it. However, the assertion lacks independent verification, and the nature of the test does not equate to an IQ test. His claims are consistent with previous statements, but the context and potential political motivations behind them warrant a critical view.
Sources
- Trump says he took a cognitive test during his physical
- Trump Says He 'Aced' Cognitive Test, but Won't Release ...
- Trump calls AOC, Jasmine Crockett 'very low IQ'
- Trump says he's going to give 'low IQ' AOC and Jasmine ...
- Trump tries to claim AOC has a low IQ and he ‘aced’ test ...
- Trump Makes Bonkers New Threat Against AOC and ...
- Trump says he got every answer right in cognitive test during ...
- Trump says he got 'the highest mark' on cognitive exam ...