In 2025, a heated political controversy erupted when Donald Trump claimed to have an IQ of 180, asserting himself as one of the most intellectually gifted presidents in U.S. history.
This boast was met with skepticism and ridicule from critics, but the controversy took a dramatic turn when reports emerged that Barack Obama had leaked his own allegedly "failed" cognitive test, undermining Trump’s self-proclaimed genius.
The Background
Throughout 2025, Trump repeatedly touted his extraordinary intelligence levels during rallies and media appearances. He claimed that he had taken a rigorous IQ test at Walter Reed Medical Center and scored at the top of the scale — “180 and above,” ranking him among the smartest in the world. Trump insisted this score proved his exceptional mental capacity, often comparing himself favorably to Einstein and other geniuses.
Meanwhile, critics argued these claims were exaggerated or outright false, as IQ tests are complex and nuanced, with official scores rarely being publicly disclosed by presidents. Most experts agree that such self-promotions about IQ are superficial and do not truly reflect leadership qualities, critical thinking, or emotional intelligence.
The Leaked “Failed” Test
The major turning point was a secretly leaked document, supposedly from Barack Obama’s confidential medical or psychological records, which purported to show Obama had scored poorly on a cognitive screening test. Social media exploded with posts suggesting that Obama’s leak demonstrated Trump’s own assertions about intelligence were fraudulent.