Fact Check: "Trump is illiterate"
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump is illiterate is a significant assertion that requires careful examination. Various analyses have assessed Trump's reading and speaking levels. For instance, an analysis of Trump's first State of the Union address revealed a Flesch-Kincaid readability score of 8.1, indicating that his speech was at an 8th-grade reading level (source). This score suggests that while his language may not be complex, it does not equate to illiteracy.
Moreover, a separate analysis of Trump's spoken words during his presidency indicated that he speaks at a level comparable to that of a third to seventh grader, which is indeed lower than any other president since 1929 (source). However, this does not imply that he cannot read or write, but rather that his vocabulary and grammatical structure are simpler compared to his predecessors.
Additionally, during his presidency, Trump's administration emphasized literacy as a priority, with the U.S. Department of Education focusing on "evidence-based literacy instruction" (source). This indicates a recognition of the importance of reading skills, further suggesting that the claim of illiteracy is exaggerated.
Analysis
The evidence presented suggests that while Trump's reading and speaking levels may be lower than those of previous presidents, this does not substantiate the claim that he is illiterate. The Flesch-Kincaid readability test, which places his State of the Union address at an 8th-grade level, indicates that he is capable of communicating effectively, albeit in a simpler manner (source).
The analysis by Factba.se, which found that Trump's vocabulary and grammatical structure were significantly less diverse than those of his predecessors, does highlight a trend towards simpler language use. However, this analysis does not conclude that he lacks the ability to read or write; it merely reflects his style of communication (source).
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Education's initiatives under Trump's administration aimed to improve literacy instruction, which implies a commitment to addressing reading skills at a national level (source). This focus on literacy contradicts the notion of illiteracy, as it suggests an understanding of its importance in education.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Donald Trump is illiterate is not supported by the evidence. While analyses indicate that he communicates at a lower reading level compared to previous presidents, this does not equate to illiteracy. His administration's focus on literacy and education further undermines the assertion that he cannot read or write.
