What Is President Trump's IQ? Unpacking The Claims And Debates

Payton Carroll 13 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered about the intelligence levels of past United States presidents? It's a topic that often sparks lively discussions, and for good reason. People are naturally curious about the mental abilities of those who hold such significant positions. This curiosity extends, quite naturally, to former President Donald Trump. So, too it's almost, many folks often ask, "what is President Trump's IQ?"

The question of a president's intelligence, or more specifically, their IQ score, has always been a fascinating one for the public. It often pops up when we consider how leaders make big decisions or handle tough situations. For someone like Donald Trump, who has been very open about his own views on his intelligence, this question gets even more attention, you know?

Discovering the truth behind what is President Trump's IQ involves looking at a mix of intriguing facts, some popular beliefs, and a few ongoing debates. We'll explore the various claims and details that have surfaced over time, trying to sort out what's what. This article will shine a light on the different stories and assertions about Donald Trump's intelligence, offering a clearer picture for anyone interested, to be honest.

Donald Trump: A Brief Look
The Buzz Around Trump's Intelligence
Claims of a High IQ: The 156 Score
- The Alleged University Study
- The Closet Document Discovery
Trump's Own Words on His Brainpower
The Debunked Low IQ Claim
What IQ Scores Really Mean
Comparing Presidential IQs: General Discussion
Common Questions About Presidential Intelligence

Donald Trump: A Brief Look

Donald John Trump served as the 45th president of the United States. Before his time in the Oval Office, he was a well-known businessman and television personality. His career in real estate and media made him a household name long before he entered politics, you know. He has always been a public figure, often in the spotlight for various reasons, and his public persona is quite distinct.

Born and raised in Queens, New York City, he built a large business empire. His path to the presidency was, in some respects, unique compared to many who came before him. He brought a different kind of style to Washington, which many people found either refreshing or, on the other hand, a bit unsettling. His approach to public speaking and policy discussions often stood out, really.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Donald John Trump
Born	June 14, 1946
Place of Birth	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Political Party	Republican
Presidency	45th U.S. President (2017-2021)
Profession Before Presidency	Businessman, Television Personality
Education	Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

The Buzz Around Trump's Intelligence

The topic of Donald Trump's intelligence has been a frequent subject of discussion and debate throughout his public life. It's something that, honestly, seems to come up again and again. Whether he is boasting about his own mental capabilities or others are questioning them, the subject rarely stays out of the conversation for long. People often wonder about the specific numbers, like what is President Trump's IQ, and how those numbers might compare to others, you know?

This interest in his intelligence often stems from his public statements and his unique way of communicating. He has a way of speaking that gets people talking, and this includes his remarks about his own brainpower. The public is quite interested in knowing the factual details and separating them from the various claims that float around. It's a natural curiosity to understand the person behind the public image, particularly someone who has held such a powerful role, for instance.

There are many stories and reports out there, some suggesting very high scores, others hinting at lower ones, and still others simply debunking certain tales. This article aims to explore these different angles and give you a clearer picture of the intelligence claims surrounding the 45th president. It's a pretty complex picture, in a way, with many pieces to consider, so we'll try to lay it all out.

Claims of a High IQ: The 156 Score

One of the most talked-about claims regarding Donald Trump's intelligence is the assertion that he possesses an IQ of 156. This number, if true, would place him in a very, very high percentile of the population. A 156 IQ is at the 99.9905490555 percentile, which means, essentially, that Donald Trump would be smarter than 99.99 percent of the people on planet Earth. That's a pretty significant claim, you know?

This specific number has circulated widely and often comes up in discussions about his intelligence. It suggests a level of cognitive ability that is quite rare and exceptional. The idea that a public figure, especially a president, might have such a high IQ is, naturally, something that catches people's attention. It's a big number that, frankly, makes many curious about its origins and truthfulness.

The Alleged University Study

The claim that Trump has an IQ of 156 is often linked to a university study. My text mentions that a chart ranking presidents by their alleged IQs, including Trump, is based on a real university study by a real psychologist. However, it also clarifies a very important point: the specific claim that Trump has an IQ of 156 is *not* directly supported by this study. This distinction is really important, you see.

So, while there might be a legitimate academic effort to estimate presidential IQs, the precise 156 figure for Trump doesn't seem to originate directly from that specific research. This means that the 156 number, while widely discussed, doesn't have a clear, direct academic source backing it up. It's a bit of a mystery how that exact number became so prominent, to be honest.

It's interesting how these numbers can gain traction even when their direct source is a bit fuzzy. People tend to remember the number itself more than the caveats or clarifications around it. This is why it's pretty important to look closely at where such claims come from, especially when they involve public figures and significant numbers, in a way.

The Closet Document Discovery

Another source for the 156 IQ claim comes from a different kind of discovery. A document supposedly revealing Donald Trump's IQ test results was reportedly found in a former New York Military Academy employee's closet. This discovery was said to have happened in May 2019. It sounds like something straight out of a story, doesn't it?

This alleged document is presented as a piece of evidence supporting the 156 IQ score. The idea that such a personal and significant piece of information could be found in such an unexpected place adds a layer of intrigue to the whole story. It makes people wonder about the circumstances of its discovery and its authenticity. A document discovered in May 2019 reveals that Donald Trump's IQ, according to some reports, was indeed this high number, apparently.

However, it's also worth noting that the text mentions this document specifically reveals "that Donald Trump's IQ" without explicitly confirming the 156 number directly from the provided snippet. The general context, though, links this discovery to the 156 claim. So, while the finding of the document itself is mentioned, its precise contents and definitive confirmation of the 156 score from this source are, perhaps, a bit less clear from the text alone. It’s a pretty interesting twist, anyway.

Trump's Own Words on His Brainpower

Donald Trump has, quite famously, often spoken about his own intelligence. He has a history of making very direct statements about his mental capabilities, which contributes significantly to the public discussion about what is President Trump's IQ. When Mr. Trump recently boasted that his IQ was higher than Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's, it was part of a pattern. This wasn't a one-off comment, you see.

Back in 2013, he even tweeted that his IQ was "much higher" than others. President Trump keeps talking about his "extremely high" IQ, raising the question for many: is it really as high as he's claiming? Experts think it might be, which adds another layer to the conversation. He has consistently presented himself as someone with exceptional intelligence, often using strong, definitive language.

He has also, quite publicly, suggested that his political foes should take IQ tests. This is a tactic he has used to challenge opponents, and it reinforces his own claims of high intelligence. He has called himself a "very stable genius," a phrase that certainly sticks in people's minds. These statements, whether you agree with them or not, really shape the public's perception and interest in his intelligence level, in some respects.

The Debunked Low IQ Claim

While claims of a very high IQ for Donald Trump have circulated, there has also been a viral assertion suggesting a much lower score. A claim that Donald Trump's IQ was 73 in his first year at New York Military Academy has gone viral again at different times. This number, if true, would place him in a significantly different category of intelligence, very much on the lower side of the scale, you know?

However, it's very important to understand the basis of this assertion. The assertion is based on a debunked newspaper clipping. It was first fact-checked and found to be untrue. So, while this low IQ claim has gained traction and spread widely, it lacks credible support. It's an example of how misinformation can sometimes circulate, even after being disproven, to be honest.

The text explicitly states that this claim is "based on a debunked newspaper clipping." This means that reliable sources have already looked into it and found it to be false. Therefore, when considering what is President Trump's IQ, it's pretty clear that the 73 score is not a factual piece of information. It's crucial to distinguish between widely shared stories and those that have been verified or debunked, particularly with public figures, you see.

What IQ Scores Really Mean

Understanding what an IQ score represents is pretty important when discussing numbers like 156 or 73. IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a score derived from a standardized test designed to assess human intelligence. It's meant to give a snapshot of a person's cognitive abilities compared to others of their age. The average IQ score is set at 100, so scores above that indicate higher than average intelligence, and scores below indicate lower than average, more or less.

The percentile associated with an IQ score helps put it into perspective. For instance, a 156 IQ is at the 99.9905490555 percentile. This means that someone with an IQ of 156 is considered to be more intelligent than almost 99.99% of the population. It's a way of showing how rare and exceptional such a score would be. These numbers, you know, really help illustrate the statistical significance of a claimed IQ, like your average score, for instance.

However, it's also worth remembering that IQ tests measure a specific type of intelligence, often related to logical reasoning, problem-solving, and verbal abilities. They don't necessarily capture all forms of intelligence, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, or practical wisdom. So, while an IQ score can tell us something, it's just one piece of a much larger picture of a person's overall capabilities, anyway.

Comparing Presidential IQs: General Discussion

The idea of ranking former U.S. presidents according to their alleged IQs is a pretty common pastime for many history buffs and curious citizens. It's a way to try and quantify a part of their legacy that isn't always obvious. My text mentions a desire to "rank each president (including Trump) according to their alleged IQs." This shows a broader interest in how leaders compare intellectually, you see.

The chart for this ranking, as mentioned, is based on a real university study by a real psychologist. This suggests that there's been academic effort to estimate the intelligence of past presidents, even if the specific numbers for individual presidents, like Trump's 156, might not directly come from that study itself. It's a fascinating area of study, considering the varied backgrounds and experiences of those who have held the highest office, for instance.

When we look at these alleged IQs, it's not just about the number. It's also about what kind of intelligence might be most useful for leading a country. Is it academic brilliance, practical street smarts, or something else entirely? These discussions often go beyond just a single score and touch on the different facets of leadership. So, comparing presidential IQs is, in a way, more about sparking thought than getting a definitive list, you know?

There's a lot of debate about how one would even accurately measure the IQ of historical figures who never took modern tests. Researchers often use various methods, like analyzing their writings, speeches, and biographical details, to make educated guesses. It's a complex task, and the results are often seen as estimates rather than precise measurements. This makes the entire topic, frankly, quite intriguing for many people.

Common Questions About Presidential Intelligence

What is considered a high IQ score?

Generally speaking, an IQ score above 130 is considered to be very high, often placing someone in the top 2% of the population. Scores like the alleged 156 for Donald Trump are exceptionally rare, as that number is at the 99.9905490555 percentile. This means such a score is well into the range of what people call "genius" or "very superior" intelligence. It's a pretty big deal, you know?

Did Donald Trump actually take an official IQ test?

While there are claims about his IQ, including the alleged discovery of test results in a closet from May 2019, there's no widely confirmed record of Donald Trump taking a formal, official IQ test that has been publicly verified. The specific 156 claim, while tied to a university study, is noted as not directly from that study. So, the direct evidence of a specific test and score is, perhaps, not as clear as some might hope, to be honest.

How does Donald Trump's alleged IQ compare to other presidents?

My text indicates a general interest in ranking presidents by their alleged IQs, with a chart based on a university study. While the text doesn't give a full comparison list, it does state the 156 IQ claim for Trump would put him smarter than 99.99 percent of people. This would place him among the highest, if not the highest, on such a list, assuming the 156 claim were fully verified. You can learn more about presidential intelligence rankings on our site, and link to this page for more insights into historical presidential data.

For more general information about IQ testing and what it means, you could look at resources from educational psychology associations, for instance. One helpful place to start might be the American Psychological Association, which often has publications on intelligence and testing methods. It's a good way to get a broader perspective on the science behind these scores.

A quarter of Trump’s ‘highest IQ’ Cabinet has been replaced - The

Donald Trump willing to compare IQ tests with Rex Tillerson

President Trump believes in IQ tests. He’s not wrong. - The Washington Post

Celebrities At Sea