Rerun

recurring remark

The recurring Trump remarks about acing his cognitive test

You're probably here because of the Oct 2026 rerun. This is the 14th time since 2018 this story has run. The previous rerun was May 2026.

About this story

Since January 2018, when the White House physician said Donald Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Trump has repeatedly said he "aced" cognitive tests. He has described the questions in interviews, posts and rally speeches, and has challenged opponents to take one, including Biden, Harris, Ocasio-Cortez, Crockett, Newsom and Walz. Coverage often adds how outlets and experts describe the test. PolitiFact quotes its creator saying it checks that thinking is normal and isn't designed to measure intelligence. None of the sources show Trump talking about a cognitive test before the January 2018 MoCA disclosure.

Sources: 1, 2

20162026

Oct 2026 – ongoing Midterm rally routine

At a Bullhead City, Arizona rally on Oct. 14, 2026, Trump said of his cognitive tests, "I took them every time, and I got them all right. I aced them." He added, "There are few people in this audience that can." He recited five words ("hat, hair, logo, white, black") and ended with "Because I'm a freaking genius, that why" (Mediaite's transcript). At a Kansas rally for Sen. Roger Marshall on Oct. 19, he described being asked "'Which one is the giraffe?'" and said "I got a perfect score."

  • Yahoo News article
    It's a very standard test, but very tough. There are few people in this audience that can, once you get past the first question, which is quite easy
  • rawstory.com article
    None of those people back there could get a perfect score
  • youtube.com video

Sources: Yahoo News reliable · rawstory.com needs a second source

May 2026 – Jun 2026 Considered 'extreme intelligence'

The White House released a physician's memo on Trump's May 26, 2026 annual exam at Walter Reed. In a Truth Social post that PolitiFact dates May 31, Trump wrote that he "scored a perfect 30 out of 30, considered 'extreme intelligence,'" and that this was "my fourth such test, all PERFECT" (Fox News, PolitiFact). Fox News reported that the memo said he "completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, known as the MoCA, and scored 30 out of 30." In the same post he wrote that "All people running for President and Vice President should be forced to take high difficulty Cognitive Tests." On June 3, PolitiFact rated the "extreme intelligence" claim False. It quoted MoCA creator Ziad Nasreddine saying the test "was not designed to detect the genius level of cognitive performance."

  • truthsocial.com social post
    I scored a perfect 30 out of 30, considered 'extreme intelligence.'
  • Fox News article
    It said he completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, known as the MoCA, and scored 30 out of 30.
  • PolitiFact article
    But the test was not designed to detect the genius level of cognitive performance.

Sources: Fox News needs a second source · PolitiFact reliable · salon.com needs a second source

Jan 2026 Trump says Harris, Walz and Newsom couldn't pass a cognitive test; Newsom challenges him

On January 6, 2026, at the House Republican retreat at the Kennedy Center, Trump said "I'm the only president that went for cognitives." He said every president and vice president "should be forced to take cognitive exams." He asked whether Walz and Harris could pass, and said, "I don't think Gavin could" (Rev transcript; Fox News). Fox reported that the remarks came after a Truth Social post from the previous Friday. In that post Trump said he had "ACED" his "Cognitive Examination" "for the third straight time." The same day as the speech, Newsom posted "Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV." and challenged Trump to name a time and place. The Chronicle described those words as the ones Trump said he remembered in 2020 on a test "meant to screen for dementia." Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon was quoted saying "Sure! Would be fun."

  • rev.com statement
    I think every president and vice president should be forced to take cognitive exams, mental tests.
  • bsky.app social post
    Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV. Donald Trump, if you're so confident, let's do it. Name your time and place.
  • Yahoo News article
    Sure! Would be fun.
  • c-span.org video Watch

Sources: Fox News needs a second source · Yahoo News reliable · rev.com needs a second source

Jan 2026 Aced… for the third straight time

In a Truth Social post on January 2, 2026, Trump wrote that White House doctors said he had "'ACED' … for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination, something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take" (Fox News, People). In a postscript he said anyone running for President or Vice President "should be mandatorily forced to take a strong, meaningful, and proven Cognitive Examination" (Fox News). The post came one day after the Wall Street Journal published an interview about his health (People, via AOL). NPR, Fox and People covered it. People noted that he had made the same "third" claim on Dec. 9, and Fox and People said it was unclear whether the post referred to a new test. NPR noted that Trump has "talked about those types of tests for years as evidence that he's still sharp."

  • Fox News article
    Our great Country cannot be run by 'STUPID' or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE!
  • aol.com article
    He made the same claim about taking a third cognitive test on Dec. 9 as well
  • whqr.org article
    Trump, this morning, posted that he had aced a recent cognitive test.

Sources: Fox News needs a second source · aol.com needs a second source · whqr.org needs a second source

Oct 2025 A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe

On Air Force One on his way to Japan, Trump told reporters that the exams he took at Walter Reed were "very hard" and "really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way," and that "the first couple of questions are easy. A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe" (The Hill; Axios). He said this while calling Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett "low IQ" and suggesting they could not pass such tests (Axios). In July 2025 he had already challenged the same two lawmakers to an "IQ test" and said he "aced" his test at Walter Reed (Fox News). In 2020 he made similar comments about the test's questions on Fox News (Axios). Axios described the Montreal Cognitive Assessment as "a common test used to identify cognitive impairment" that "is not used to measure intelligence or IQ."

  • Axios article
    The first couple of questions are easy. A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know.
  • x.com social post
    Out of curiosity, did those doctors ask you to draw a clock by any chance? Was that part hard for you, too?
  • Yahoo News article
    "I got an MRI, it was perfect," Trump told reporters on Air Force One while en route to Japan.
  • youtube.com video
    The first couple of questions are easy. A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know.

Sources: Axios reliable · Yahoo News reliable · HuffPost needs a second source · Fox News needs a second source

Jul 2025 Trump challenges Ocasio-Cortez and Crockett to an "IQ test," says he "aced" his Walter Reed test

On July 15, 2025, Trump told reporters, "Between her and Crockett, we're going to give them both an IQ test to see who comes out best." He added, "I took a real test at Walter Reed Medical Center, and I aced it. I got every one of all those questions right" (Fox News). HuffPost reported that critics said he seemed to be referring to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), not an IQ test. HuffPost described the MoCA as a screening tool "used to detect early signs of cognitive decline, not intelligence," and said Trump last took it at Walter Reed in April. Latin Times cited a White House physician's memo that called the April result "normal with a score of 30 out of 30." This fits both parts of the thread: claiming he aced the test and challenging opponents to take one.

  • Fox News article
    I took my test. I took a real test at Walter Reed Medical Center, and I aced it. I got every one of all those questions right.
  • x.com social post
    Between her and Crockett, we're gonna give 'em both an IQ test to see who comes out best. I took a real test at Walter Reed medical center and I aced it.
  • Yahoo News article
    Now, I took my test. I took a real test at Walter Reed Medical Center and I aced it. I got every one of all those questions right. Now it's time for them to take a test.

Sources: Fox News needs a second source · Yahoo News reliable · latintimes.com needs a second source · The Daily Beast needs a second source

Apr 2025 First physical of the second term

On April 11, 2025, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after the first physical of his second term, Trump said: "I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test, and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right" (Breitbart; ABC confirms the setting). On April 13, Axios reported that a memo from White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella said Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Axios described the test as one that screens for cognitive dysfunction. On April 14, according to BuzzFeed, Trump said at an Oval Office event that he "got the highest mark." BuzzFeed also reported that he noted Biden and Obama had not taken the test and said he had taken it three times. This fits the thread: Trump says he aced a cognitive test and contrasts himself with an opponent.

  • Breitbart News article
    I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test, and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.
  • Axios article
    President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State,
  • buzzfeed.com article
    I took my cognitive exam as part of my physical exam, and I got the highest mark,
  • youtube.com video

Sources: ABC News reliable · Breitbart News needs a second source · Axios reliable · buzzfeed.com needs a second source

Oct 2024 Trump says Harris should "pass a test on Cognitive Stamina and Agility"; Harris says she'd take a test and challenges him to take the same one

On Oct. 12, 2024, Harris released a medical report and dared Trump to do the same (NPR). On Truth Social, Trump then wrote: "I believe it is very important that Kamala Harris pass a test on Cognitive Stamina and Agility" (Newsweek). In a CBS interview that aired Oct. 28, O'Donnell quoted Trump telling Joe Rogan that Harris "needs to take a cognitive test." Asked whether she would take one, Harris said "Sure" and "I would challenge him to take the same one" (PolitiFact, CBS). This matches the thread's "challenging opponents" pattern.

Sources: Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · cbsnews.com reliable · PolitiFact reliable · nhpr.org needs a second source

Jun 2024 Doc Ronny Johnson

At the Turning Point Action convention in Detroit on June 15, 2024, Trump said of Biden, "I think he should take a cognitive test like I did" (NPR, Newsweek). According to NBC and the Rev transcript, he said in the same passage that he had "aced" the test. Factba.se's transcript has him adding, "I got every question right." NPR describes the test as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which Trump took in 2018 at his own request, as Jackson told reporters at the time. The coverage focused on Trump naming his former White House doctor, Ronny Jackson, as "Ronny Johnson" (NPR, NBC, Newsweek).

  • rev.com statement
    I took a cognitive test and I aced it. Doc Ronnie Johnson, does everyone know Ron Johnson, Congressman from Texas?
  • x.com social post
    Trump: I think Biden should take a cognitive test. My doctor Ronny Johnson. Ronny Johnson, do you know him? (His name is Ronny Jackson)
  • NPR article
    Doc Ronny Johnson. Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, congressman from Texas?
  • youtube.com video

Sources: NPR reliable · Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · NBC News reliable · rollcall.com reliable

Feb 2024 Crooked Joe Biden must take a Cognitive Test

On Feb. 29, 2024, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Biden "must take a Cognitive Test." He repeated that he had taken two such tests and "ACED them both (no mistakes!)," and said all presidents and candidates "should mandatorily take this test." The post came a day after Biden's yearly physical at Walter Reed. The White House said that exam did not include a cognitive test. Forbes said Trump "renewed his calls" for Biden to take one, and that he "has repeatedly claimed to have aced cognitive tests… but never formally released the results." Newsweek said the test he refers to is "believed to be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment."

  • Newsweek (pre–2013) article
    Crooked Joe Biden must take a Cognitive Test. Maybe that way we would be able to find out why he makes such terrible decisions. I took two of them, and ACED them both (no mistakes!). All Presidents, or people wanting to become President, should mandatorily take this test!
  • Fox News article
    Trump made the remarks on Thursday via his proprietary social media platform, Truth Social.

Sources: Newsweek (pre–2013) needs a second source · forbes.com needs a second source · Fox News needs a second source · The Hill reliable

Jan 2024 Cognitive-test claims at New Hampshire and Nevada rallies during the Trump–Haley primary

At a campaign stop in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, Trump said he "aced" a cognitive test, according to Forbes. At a rally in Manchester, N.H., on Jan. 20, after Nikki Haley questioned his mental fitness, he said a doctor had given him a cognitive test "a few months ago" and "I aced it" (The Hill, via Yahoo). At a Las Vegas event the next weekend, ABC News reported, he said "There's only about 2% in this room can do it." ABC said he "was seemingly referring to" the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and that he "took one as part of a physical exam in 2018."

  • forbes.com article
    During a New Hampshire campaign stop Wednesday, Trump boasted about how he "aced" a cognitive test with questions including identifying animal shapes that progressively "got harder," and included complex math problems.
  • Yahoo News article
    A few months ago I took a cognitive test my doctor gave me, I said give me a cognitive test just we can, you know, and I aced it. I also took one when I was in the White House.
  • ABC News article
    There's only about 2% in this room can do it, but I did it. I did it very easily.

Sources: NBC News reliable · NPR reliable · ABC News reliable · forbes.com needs a second source

Jul 2020 "Person, woman, man, camera, TV"

In a Fox News interview with Dr. Marc Siegel that aired July 22, 2020, Trump described the memory part of a cognitive test he said he had taken. He said: "It's like, you'll go, 'Person, woman, man, camera, TV'," and said the doctors told him "'That's amazing… How did you do that?'" (CBS News). In the same interview he said of Joe Biden, "Honestly, he should take the test" (CBS), and "Now, Joe should take that test, because something's going on" (BuzzFeed News). CBS reported that in January 2018 Trump took a test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), which the test's website calls "a cognitive screening test designed to assist Health Professionals in the detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease." CBS also said Trump "didn't specify exactly which type of cognitive test he took, or when" in the July 2020 interview.

  • presidency.ucsb.edu broadcast
    They say, "That's amazing. How did you do that?" I do it because I have a good memory, because I'm cognitively there.
  • x.com social post
    Like a memory question. You'll go 'person, woman, man, camera, TV.' So they say -- 'can you repeat that?' … for me it was easy.
  • theweek.com article
    Siegel said "the interview was a cognitive test" in its own right, and "he is extremely sharp on every second."
  • youtube.com video

Sources: cbsnews.com reliable · irishtimes.com needs a second source · buzzfeednews.com needs a second source · rollingstone.com needs a second source

Jul 2020 "I aced it" and the Chris Wallace exchange

In a radio interview with Sean Hannity on Thursday, July 9, 2020, Trump said he had "very recently" taken a cognitive test at Walter Reed and "aced" it. He also said Biden "should take the same test." He did not say when he took the test (The Hill; Washington Post). On Fox News Sunday on July 19, Trump repeated the challenge: "Let him take the same test that I took." Chris Wallace replied that he had taken the test himself and it was "not the hardest test." Trump answered that the last questions "get very hard" and said, "I answered all 35 questions correctly" (Axios; Deadline). The Washington Post reported that it was unclear which test Trump meant. The last cognitive test he was publicly known to have taken was in January 2018, when the White House physician said he got a perfect score. That test was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

  • The Hill article
    I proved I was all there because I aced it, I aced the test.
  • Axios article
    the first few questions are easy, but I'll bet you couldn't even answer the last five questions.
  • deadline.com article
    And I answered all 35 questions correctly,
  • mediaite.com video Watch transcript

Sources: The Hill reliable · The Washington Post reliable · Axios reliable · deadline.com needs a second source

Jan 2018 White House doctor reports a 30/30 MoCA score

At a Jan. 16, 2018 White House briefing, Jackson said Trump's Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) "was normal, with a score of 30 over 30." He said the test was done only because "the President asked me to do it." The Washington Post said the announcement followed recent questions from critics about Trump's mental fitness, and Trump's tweet calling himself a "very stable genius." The remark in this wave was Jackson's, not Trump's.

  • trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov statement
    A cognitive screening exam using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was normal, with a score of 30 over 30.
  • The Washington Post article
    The 10-minute exam is designed to detect mild cognitive impairment, such as dementia, generally in older patients.
  • deseret.com article
    Presidents don't typically sit for cognitive assessments during their periodic physical exams.
  • c-span.org video Watch
    was normal, with a score of 30 over 30

Sources: trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov reliable · The Washington Post reliable · deseret.com needs a second source · NBC News reliable · cnbc.com reliable