President Donald Trump asserted that he has “aced” multiple cognitive tests during a rally in North Carolina on Friday, drawing attention amid ongoing discussions about the mental fitness of both him and President Joe Biden. The former president emphasized his mental acuity while addressing a crowd, stating, “I did something no other president’s ever done. I took cognitive tests because I know that and by the way, not easy.”
Trump’s remarks come as he faces scrutiny regarding his health, particularly after a series of public appearances where he appeared to struggle with coherence. Just earlier this week, he delivered a rambling speech and reportedly fell asleep at several events, including a Cabinet meeting. These incidents have prompted questions about his mental state, especially following a controversial post regarding the late filmmaker Rob Reiner.
During his speech, Trump recounted details of the cognitive tests, which he claims he passed with ease. “The first question is like, ‘What is this?’ And they show a lion, a giraffe, a fish, and a hippopotamus. And they say, ‘Which is the giraffe?’” he explained, suggesting that he doubted Biden’s ability to answer correctly. The crowd responded with laughter as Trump quipped, “I don’t think Joe would have gotten the first question right.”
Over the years, Trump has taken three cognitive assessments, all of which he claims to have excelled in. In 2018, during his first term, he reportedly scored perfectly on a cognitive assessment, which included recalling five words: “person, woman, man, camera, TV.” Trump recounted that during a recent physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he again received confirmation of his “perfect health.”
He expressed concern about how the media portrays these evaluations, stating, “The fake news interprets when the doctor says ‘he’s got perfect health,’ they go, ‘What does he mean by perfect?’”
While Trump maintains his cognitive fitness, he admitted that he may not always feel “100 percent.” He stated, “There will be a time when perhaps I won’t be 100 percent. When that time comes, I’ll let you know about it.”
Critics continue to voice concerns about his mental acuity. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office described Trump as “sundowning hard” in response to his recent speech, while Representative Ted Lieu questioned the rationale behind administering cognitive tests to the former president.
Further compounding concerns, Trump has attracted attention with various public statements, including a claim that Reiner died due to “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” These episodes, coupled with his erratic speech patterns, have led some medical professionals to express alarm. Cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Reiner, who treated the late Vice President Dick Cheney, described Trump’s recent behavior as “very disturbing.”
As Trump’s health and cognitive abilities remain a topic of debate, the former president continues to assert his mental sharpness, declaring, “I feel the same that I’ve felt for 50 years, I really do.” The ongoing dialogue surrounding his health raises important questions about the implications for both his political future and public perception.
