Fact Check: "Trump supporters have lower IQs when compared to the rest of the U.S. population."
What We Know
The claim that "Trump supporters have lower IQs" is a contentious one, often rooted in broader discussions about political beliefs and intelligence. Research has suggested a correlation between intelligence and political orientation, with some studies indicating that higher IQ scores may be associated with more liberal political beliefs (source-1). However, the direct assertion that Trump supporters specifically possess lower IQs lacks definitive empirical support.
Demographic analyses from the Pew Research Center indicate that Trump voters tend to be less likely to hold a four-year college degree compared to voters for Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris (source-2). In 2024, about 67% of Trump voters did not have a college degree, which may suggest a correlation between educational attainment and voting patterns, but does not directly equate to IQ levels.
Additionally, some articles have discussed the cognitive traits of Trump supporters, with claims that they exhibit "less cognitive sophistication" and use "less cognitively complex language" compared to their Democratic counterparts (source-5, source-7). However, these studies focus on language complexity and cognitive styles rather than direct IQ measurements.
Analysis
The evidence surrounding the claim that Trump supporters have lower IQs is largely circumstantial and does not provide a clear, scientific basis for the assertion. While some studies suggest a correlation between intelligence and political beliefs, they do not definitively prove that Trump supporters have lower IQs. The studies referenced primarily discuss educational attainment and cognitive complexity, which are not direct measures of intelligence.
The Pew Research Center's demographic analysis provides insights into the educational backgrounds of Trump voters, indicating a significant portion lacks a college degree (source-2). However, educational attainment is not synonymous with IQ, and many factors influence both education and political affiliation.
Furthermore, the sources that claim Trump supporters exhibit lower cognitive sophistication or complexity in their thinking may reflect broader psychological trends rather than definitive measures of intelligence (source-5, source-7). These studies often rely on language analysis and behavioral observations, which can be influenced by various external factors, including cultural and social contexts.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump supporters have lower IQs when compared to the rest of the U.S. population" remains Unverified. While there are studies suggesting correlations between intelligence and political beliefs, they do not provide conclusive evidence that directly supports the claim. The relationship between education, cognitive complexity, and political affiliation is complex and influenced by numerous factors, making it inappropriate to draw definitive conclusions about the intelligence of Trump supporters based solely on available data.
Sources
- Predicting political beliefs with polygenic scores for ... ScienceDirect
- Demographic profiles of Trump and Harris voters in 2024 Pew Research Center
- Donald Trump - Research and data from Pew Research Center Pew Research Center
- Trump, Harris, and the Role of Intelligence in Leadership City Journal
- New research on Trump voters: They're not the sharpest ... Salon
- An Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits Psychology Today
- Trump supporters use less cognitively complex language ... PsyPost
- The Five Types of Trump Voters Voter Study Group
