Decoding Donald Trump's IQ: The Truth Behind The 156 Claim, The MoCA Test, And Public Perception

The debate surrounding Donald Trump's Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is one of the most persistent and polarizing topics in modern American politics, with figures ranging wildly from a debunked low of 73 to an unverified high of 156. As of December 18, 2025, no official, verified IQ test score has ever been publicly released by the former President, leaving the actual number a subject of intense speculation, political theater, and analytical estimation. This article delves into the various claims and counter-claims, examining the context of the famous cognitive tests he underwent, the source of the high and low-end estimates, and how the public and experts view his intellectual brilliance and presidential performance. The focus remains on separating fact from the numerous false or misleading statements that have characterized this long-running controversy.

Donald Trump: Biographical Profile and Educational Background

While the exact IQ score remains a mystery, Donald Trump's life and career provide a clear picture of his educational and professional trajectory, which is often used to frame the intelligence debate.

• Full Name: Donald John Trump
• Date of Birth: June 14, 1946
• Place of Birth: Queens, New York, U.S.
• Education:
  • New York Military Academy (NYMA) (1959–1964)
  • Fordham University (1964–1966)
  • Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S. in Economics, 1968)
• Spouse: Melania Knauss (m. 2005), Marla Maples (m. 1993; div. 1999), Ivana Zelníčková (m. 1977; div. 1992)
• Children: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump, Barron Trump
• Primary Profession: Real Estate Developer, Businessman, Media Personality
• Political Office: 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)

The Phantom IQ Scores: Debunking The 73 and Analyzing The 156

The public discourse around Donald Trump's intelligence has been dominated by two extreme, and largely unsubstantiated, figures: an IQ of 73 and an IQ of 156. Understanding the origin and veracity of these numbers is crucial to the discussion.

The Debunked 73 Score: A Viral Hoax

The lowest figure, an IQ of 73, frequently resurfaces on social media and in political commentary. This assertion is based on a debunked newspaper article, often circulated as an image of a clipping, claiming the score was from his first year at the New York Military Academy (NYMA).

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Fact-checkers, including Full Fact and PolitiFact, have thoroughly investigated this claim. They concluded that the document is not an authentic record of Trump's test results. An IQ of 73 falls into the "borderline intellectual functioning" or "mild intellectual disability" range, which is inconsistent with his acceptance and graduation from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious business schools in the world.

The Unverified 156 and 145 Claims

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some sources have circulated estimates as high as 156 or 145. An IQ of 145 places an individual in the 99.7th percentile, meaning their score would be higher than 997 out of 1,000 people. A score of 156 is even higher, suggesting a genius-level intellect.

These high scores are not based on any officially released or independently verified psychological assessment. They appear to stem from anecdotal claims or speculative analyses, sometimes fueled by Trump's own frequent public statements about his "very high IQ" and his self-proclaimed intellectual brilliance. The lack of concrete evidence means these high estimates, while popular in some circles, remain purely speculative.

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The controversy is fueled by the absence of a definitive score, a common practice for public figures who have not taken or released the results of a standardized IQ test like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) or the Stanford-Binet. This vacuum of information allows both supporters and critics to project their own estimates onto the former President.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): What He Aced and Why It’s Not an IQ Test

One of the most concrete pieces of information regarding Donald Trump's mental acuity comes from his time in the White House, when he repeatedly boasted about "acing" a cognitive test during his annual physical examination.

The Purpose of the MoCA

The test Donald Trump took was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, commonly known as the MoCA. The MoCA is not an IQ test designed to measure intelligence, but rather a quick, 30-point screening tool used by physicians to detect mild cognitive impairment or early signs of dementia.

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The test includes simple tasks such as drawing a cube, naming animals, repeating a short list of words, and identifying the date. A perfect score of 30/30, which Trump claimed to have achieved multiple times, simply indicates that he does not show signs of cognitive impairment that would warrant further neurological testing.

The Conflation of "Cognitive" and "IQ"

A significant part of the controversy stems from Donald Trump's own public conflation of the MoCA with a "very hard" IQ test. While he often uses his perfect score to dismiss concerns about his age and mental fitness, experts widely agree that passing a dementia screening test does not equate to a high IQ score or provide any reliable measure of intellectual capacity. This distinction is critical in the ongoing debate about his intelligence claims.

The public interest in the MoCA surged dramatically following the news of the former President undergoing the test, highlighting the intense scrutiny on his health and mental state.

Public Perception and Expert Analysis of Trump's Intelligence

Beyond the speculative numbers, the debate on Donald Trump’s intelligence often centers on his demonstrated abilities, his communication style, and public opinion.

Analysis of Communication Style and Knowledge

Critics and various political analysts often point to his communication style, which is characterized by simple language, repetition, and a tendency to make false or misleading claims, as evidence of lower intellectual rigor. The Washington Post Fact Checker team, for instance, cataloged tens of thousands of suspect claims during his presidency, a factor often cited in discussions about his intellectual honesty and command of complex policy.

Conversely, supporters and some observers argue that his success as a real estate developer, his ability to navigate complex business and legal landscapes, and his political success demonstrate a high degree of practical intelligence, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence (EQ), even if it doesn't manifest in traditional academic ways.

The YouGov Poll: Public Opinion on IQ

Interestingly, public perception does not align with the high, unverified IQ claims. A YouGov poll asking Americans to estimate the IQ of various political figures found that Donald Trump ranked near the bottom in Americans' perception of his intellectual capacity. This suggests that despite his own claims, a significant portion of the public does not view him as having an exceptionally high IQ.

Ultimately, the intelligence of Donald Trump is a complex entity. The official score is unknown, the high-end estimates are unverified, and the low-end score is a hoax. The only verifiable data point is his perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is a screening tool, not a measure of genius. The ongoing debate is less about a single number and more about the nature of intellectual brilliance required for presidential performance and leadership.