Donald Trump's IQ: Exploring The Claims And What We Know

Velma Anderson IV 14 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered about Donald Trump's intelligence? It's a question that, frankly, has been on many people's minds for quite some time, you know. This curiosity, in a way, really got a big push during the controversial election cycle back in 2016, as a matter of fact.

So, too it's almost, during that time, Donald Trump would frequently use social media, particularly his Twitter account, to talk about his own intelligence. He would, you know, often mention his high IQ, making it a very public point of discussion, in some respects. This constant boasting, basically, sparked a lot of conversation among the public and the media alike.

This widespread talk, arguably, about his mental capabilities, really got people thinking. It led many to wonder, naturally, about the intelligence levels of other presidents throughout history, both those considered very smart and those, perhaps, not so much. It's a topic that, you know, seems to pop up again and again, even now.

Who is Donald Trump?
The IQ Claims: What Was Said?
- The 156 IQ Claim
- The 73 IQ Claim
The Lack of Official Scores
Why the IQ Talk?
Expert Opinions on the Claims
Frequently Asked Questions About Donald Trump's IQ
Final Thoughts on Donald Trump's Intelligence

Who is Donald Trump?

Donald Trump, as many people know, served as the 45th President of the United States. He took office in January 2017 and, you know, completed his term in January 2021. His time in the White House was, basically, marked by many significant events and, in some respects, a very unique way of communicating with the public.

He came into politics after a long career, actually, in business and media. He was, as a matter of fact, well-known as a real estate developer and, you know, a television personality before his presidential run. His background, in a way, really shaped his public image and his approach to leadership, too it's almost.

Born in New York, he attended the New York Military Academy for high school. He graduated from there in 1964, so that's, you know, a detail that comes up in some of the intelligence discussions. He later went on to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which is, basically, a very well-regarded business school. This educational background, you know, is sometimes brought up when people talk about his intelligence, as a matter of fact.

Personal Details

Detail	Information
Full Name	Donald John Trump
Born	June 14, 1946
Place of Birth	Queens, New York
Education	Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S. in Economics)
High School	New York Military Academy
Presidency	45th U.S. President (2017-2021)

The IQ Claims: What Was Said?

When it comes to Donald Trump's IQ, there have been, you know, a few different numbers that have circulated widely. These figures, in a way, often appear in online discussions and, you know, sometimes in news reports. It's important, basically, to look at where these numbers come from and what they actually mean, as a matter of fact.

The claims about his intelligence score vary dramatically, too it's almost. On one side, some people suggest he has, you know, a very high IQ, placing him in what many would call the "genius" category. On the other side, there are, you know, claims of a much lower score. So, it's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest.

These varying claims, you know, often lead to a lot of confusion and, in some respects, even heated debate. It's hard, basically, to get a clear picture when there are such different numbers being thrown around. We'll look at each of these claims, you know, to see what the story is behind them.

The 156 IQ Claim

One number that has gained a lot of attention, as a matter of fact, is the claim that Donald Trump has an IQ of 156. This figure, you know, places him at a very high percentile. A 156 IQ, basically, is at the 99.9905490555 percentile, which means that, in a way, he would be smarter than 99.99 percent of the people on planet Earth. That's a very high number, you know.

This claim often comes from a chart that, you know, purports to rank the IQs of former U.S. presidents. The chart, as a matter of fact, went viral online and, in some respects, led many to believe this specific number. It suggested, too it's almost, that this high score was, you know, based on his educational background, especially his graduation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

However, it's important to note, you know, that the IQ of Trump, as presented in this ranking, is not accurate. Reports suggest, basically, that the ranking itself is based on incomplete and inaccurate information. So, while the number 156 has been widely shared, you know, it's not a verified or reliable score, to be honest. It's more of a claim that has, in a way, spread through social media, you know.

Experts, as a matter of fact, have weighed in on these "extremely high" IQ claims. They question, you know, whether his intelligence is really as high as he's claiming or as these viral charts suggest. So, while the number 156 is out there, you know, it lacks solid proof, as a matter of fact.

The 73 IQ Claim

On the other end of the spectrum, there's a claim that Donald Trump's IQ was measured at 73. This number, you know, is very low and, in some respects, would indicate mental retardation, as a matter of fact. This claim, basically, has also gone viral again and again, too it's almost.

The story behind this 73 IQ score is that, you know, it was supposedly discovered in a former New York Military Academy employee's closet. The claim states, as a matter of fact, that the results of an IQ test allegedly taken by Donald Trump during his first year at the academy were found in this way. So, it's a very specific, you know, story about how this number came to light, in some respects.

This claim has been, you know, widely mocked by Republicans, who, basically, dismiss it outright. Our verdict, as a matter of fact, is that there is no evidence of such a discovery. There is, you know, no proof that President Trump has an IQ score of 73 from such a test. So, while the story is out there, you know, it doesn't hold up to scrutiny, to be honest.

Trump did attend the New York Military Academy (NYMA) for high school, and he graduated in 1964, that's true. This post, you know, representing itself as a news clipping, claims that during his time there, he may have taken a test to measure his IQ. However, the alleged discovery of these results, you know, is not supported by any credible evidence, as a matter of fact. So, the 73 IQ claim is, basically, largely speculative or debunked, you know.

The Lack of Official Scores

One of the key insights into Donald Trump's intelligence, as a matter of fact, is that there is no official IQ score. Donald Trump has, you know, never publicly released a verified, formal IQ test score. This means that, basically, any numbers circulated online, such as 73 or 145 or 156, are, in some respects, largely speculative or, you know, have been debunked, too it's almost.

The public, as a matter of fact, rarely gets to know a president's IQ. Many United States presidents, you know, were born before the modern IQ test was even invented, so it's not like there's a long history of these scores being public knowledge. This lack of transparency, in a way, means that we often rely on claims rather than verified data, you know.

So, when you see numbers floating around, you know, it's important to remember that they are not, basically, official results. They are, in some respects, often based on rumors, viral charts, or, you know, unverified stories. There's no concrete proof, as a matter of fact, that any specific IQ test was taken or, you know, that its results were genuinely found, to be honest.

The absence of a formal, public score, you know, leaves a lot of room for speculation. It allows, basically, for both very high and very low numbers to gain traction, even without, you know, solid backing. This situation, in a way, just adds to the mystery and, you know, the ongoing debate about his intelligence, as a matter of fact.

Why the IQ Talk?

Donald Trump, as a matter of fact, has often talked about his own IQ. This is, you know, a recurring theme in his public statements. When Mr. Trump recently boasted that his IQ was higher than Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's, it was, basically, part of a pattern. He has, you know, a history of bringing up the topic of intelligence, in some respects.

His perpetual tweeting, you know, about his high IQ during the 2016 election cycle, for example, really put the topic into the public eye. This constant discussion of his own intelligence, in a way, seems to be a part of his public persona. It's, you know, something he brings up when he wants to make a point about his capabilities, too it's almost.

Some people wonder, you know, if Donald Trump's eccentric nature is a sign of a high IQ. They explore, basically, the claims and debates surrounding his intelligence, examining whether his unique persona hints at a remarkable intellect. This is, you know, a common way people try to connect his behavior with his mental abilities, in some respects.

He has, you know, often used these discussions to assert his own intellectual superiority. He might say things like, "I know some of you may think I'm tough and harsh but actually I'm a..." and then, you know, imply a high level of intelligence. This kind of talk, basically, keeps the conversation about his IQ alive and, you know, in the public consciousness, as a matter of fact.

Expert Opinions on the Claims

Experts have, you know, weighed in on Donald Trump's "extremely high" IQ claims. They often question, basically, whether his intelligence is really as high as he's claiming. The consensus among many professionals is that, you know, without a verified test, these claims remain just that—claims, in some respects.

When the chart ranking claimed that former US President Donald Trump has an IQ of 156, experts pointed out, you know, that it must be noted that the IQ of Trump is not accurate. They highlighted that, basically, reports suggest the ranking is based on incomplete and inaccurate information. So, they, you know, cast doubt on the reliability of such viral content, as a matter of fact.

Regarding the claim that Donald Trump's IQ was 73, experts have also been clear. They state, you know, there is no evidence of such a discovery or that President Trump has an IQ score of 73. They often emphasize that, basically, claims about his IQ vary dramatically and that, you know, numbers like 73 or 145 are largely speculative or debunked, too it's almost.

The fact that Donald Trump has never, you know, publicly released a verified, formal IQ test score is a crucial point for experts. They explain that, basically, without this official documentation, any numbers floating around are, in some respects, just rumors. They encourage, you know, people to look for credible sources and verified information, as a matter of fact. You can learn more about intelligence testing on our site, for instance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donald Trump's IQ

Was Donald Trump's IQ measured at 73?

Claims that Donald Trump's IQ was measured at 73, supposedly from a test at New York Military Academy, have circulated. However, there is, you know, no credible evidence to support such a discovery or that this score is accurate, as a matter of fact. Reports suggest these claims are, basically, debunked and lack proof, in some respects. So, it's not a verified score, you know.

How often does President Trump talk about IQ?

President Trump has, you know, frequently talked about his IQ, especially during his time in office and during campaigns. He often, basically, uses it to assert his own intelligence, like when he boasted his IQ was higher than Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's, too it's almost. It's a topic he, you know, brings up quite often, as a matter of fact.

Is Donald Trump's IQ 156?

A viral ranking chart claimed Donald Trump's IQ is 156, placing him in a very high percentile. However, it's important to know that, you know, this ranking is based on incomplete and inaccurate information. Experts say, basically, that the 156 IQ claim is not accurate and, you know, lacks verification, as a matter of fact. There is no official, verified score, in some respects. You can also link to this page about public figures and intelligence claims.

Final Thoughts on Donald Trump's Intelligence

The topic of Donald Trump's IQ is, you know, a complex one, largely because there's no definitive answer. The claims vary dramatically, from a very high 156 to a very low 73. These numbers, basically, have spread widely online, often leading to confusion and, you know, intense discussion, as a matter of fact.

What's clear, in some respects, is that Donald Trump himself has, you know, often brought up the subject of his own intelligence. His public statements and social media activity, too it's almost, have certainly fueled the ongoing debate. This perpetual discussion, basically, has made his intelligence a point of public fascination, you know.

Ultimately, without a verified, formal IQ test score, any specific number remains, you know, speculative. Experts consistently point out that, basically, the circulating figures are either unproven or have been debunked. So, while the curiosity about Donald Trump's IQ continues, you know, the actual number remains, in a way, a mystery, as a matter of fact. For more general information about Donald Trump's life and career, you might want to visit a reliable source like Britannica.

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