Trump Boasts ‘Perfect’ Dementia Test Score, Targets Lawmakers

President Donald Trump recently highlighted his self-proclaimed cognitive prowess by announcing a ‘perfect’ score on a dementia screening test while simultaneously mocking Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett. During a press interaction aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2023, the 79-year-old president claimed he completed what he referred to as an ‘IQ test’ at Walter Reed Medical Center and challenged his opponents to undergo similar assessments.

Trump criticized Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez, labeling them as “low IQ” individuals. He suggested that they would struggle to pass the cognitive tests he had taken, describing an exam that included identifying animals such as a tiger, elephant, and giraffe. He asserted, “Let Jasmine go against Trump. I don’t think Jasmine could pass,” indicating that as the questions progressed, the difficulty increased substantially.

The test Trump referenced appears to be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a ten-minute examination utilized to screen for early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This assessment focuses on various cognitive abilities, including memory and attention, rather than measuring intelligence or aptitude. The MoCA was not designed to assess IQ, as noted by its creator, Canadian neurologist Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, who previously emphasized that there is no correlation between MoCA scores and IQ tests.

In April, Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, confirmed that the president had achieved a flawless score during his annual medical examination at Walter Reed. Reports indicate that Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the MoCA in 2018 as well, and he has frequently used these results to counter criticism regarding his age and mental fitness. He notably challenged then-candidate Joe Biden to take the same cognitive exam during the 2020 campaign, asserting it demonstrated his mental sharpness.

Trump returned to Walter Reed earlier this month for another health evaluation, but the White House has not disclosed whether he retook the MoCA. A statement from Dr. Barbabella mentioned that the visit included “lab testing, advanced imaging, and preventive health assessments.” Trump claimed that an MRI scan performed during this evaluation returned ‘perfect’ results, though he did not elaborate on the reasons for the scan. “I’m in very good health, better than most,” he stated, adding, “Everything they checked was perfect, absolutely perfect.”

The president’s comments sparked immediate backlash online, with critics accusing him of conflating medical tests with intelligence measures. In response, supporters of Ocasio-Cortez circulated clips of her congressional speeches to emphasize her policy expertise, while Crockett, known for her incisive questioning in House hearings, has remained silent.

Political analysts suggest that Trump’s frequent references to his cognitive tests serve dual purposes: they act as a defense against concerns regarding his age and also serve as a rhetorical weapon against his political adversaries. Despite these assertions, medical professionals underscore that the MoCA cannot substantiate claims of superior intellect, as its primary function is to detect cognitive impairment.

Dr. Nasreddine cautioned against using the MoCA to gauge intelligence, reiterating that the test is designed to help identify potential cognitive issues rather than measure intellectual capability. As Trump continues to promote his results, the public remains engaged in a debate over the intersection of health, age, and political fitness.