Trump Confuses IQ Test with Dementia Exam, Mocks AOC, Crockett

US President Donald Trump has reignited controversy with his latest remarks on intelligence tests, claiming he “aced” an IQ test that he appears to have mistaken for a dementia screening. During an interaction with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump, 79, said he had taken a “very hard” test at Walter Reed Medical Center and challenged Democratic Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to take the same exam.

“They have Jasmine Crockett, a low-IQ person. AOC is low IQ... You give her an IQ test, have her pass, like, the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed. Those are very hard. They're really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way, but they're cognitive tests. Let AOC go against Trump,” Trump said.

Confusing Cognitive Test with IQ Exam

Reports suggest the president was referring to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) — a short screening tool designed to detect early signs of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The test, however, is not an intelligence quotient (IQ) evaluation and does not measure reasoning or problem-solving ability.

The MoCA test was created by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, a Canadian neurologist, who has previously clarified that the assessment is meant solely for identifying cognitive decline, not intelligence. It typically takes about 10 minutes and evaluates memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills.

Trump’s physician at Walter Reed had earlier confirmed that he underwent the MoCA test during his annual checkup and received a perfect score.

Trump’s Explanation of the Test

Describing the test to reporters, Trump said it began with simple picture identification before progressing to more challenging tasks.

“The first couple of questions are easy: a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. When you get up to about five or six, and then when you get up to 10 and 20 and 25, they couldn’t come close to answering any of those questions,” he said, suggesting that his political opponents would fail to complete the test.

The MoCA includes exercises such as drawing a clock, recalling a list of words, and connecting numbered and lettered dots — activities used to assess memory and concentration.

History of Trump’s Cognitive Test Claims

This is not the first time Trump has referenced his performance on the test. During his presidency in 2020, he had also claimed to have “aced” it and publicly challenged then-Democratic nominee Joe Biden to take the same test. His statements drew wide attention and skepticism at the time, as many medical experts pointed out that scoring well on a dementia screening is not equivalent to high intelligence.

Political observers note that Trump’s latest remarks reflect his continued use of cognitive and intelligence narratives to attack his opponents, particularly progressive Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez and Crockett, who have been vocal critics of his policies and rhetoric.

Medical Perspective

Medical professionals emphasize that while the MoCA is a respected tool in assessing early cognitive decline, it is not comparable to a formal IQ test. IQ tests are standardized assessments designed to measure intellectual ability across reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking domains — very different from clinical cognitive screening.

Dr. Nasreddine himself has previously responded to Trump’s claims, explaining that the test is “not meant to assess how smart someone is, but to identify potential cognitive dysfunction.”

Political Reactions

Following Trump’s latest remarks, social media platforms saw a surge of reactions, with critics accusing him of distorting medical terminology for political gain. Supporters, however, praised his confidence and pointed to his long-standing claims of mental sharpness despite his age.

While AOC and Jasmine Crockett have not yet issued official responses, both have previously dismissed Trump’s personal attacks as “distractions from real issues.”

Background and Implications

The renewed focus on Trump’s mental acuity comes as he prepares for a high-stakes election year. At 79, Trump is one of the oldest presidents in US history, and his health and cognitive status remain frequent subjects of public scrutiny. His repeated references to intelligence and mental fitness may signal a broader strategy to project strength and resilience amid ongoing political challenges.

As the debate continues, medical experts continue to urge caution in conflating cognitive screening with intelligence — reminding the public that the MoCA, while useful in medical settings, has no bearing on a person’s IQ or overall intellect.