President Donald Trump recently linked his own intellectual capabilities to his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, during a wide-ranging interview, The Independent reported. While discussing various topics, including his views on artificial intelligence and his relationship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the President asserted that he possesses “the highest of IQs.” He credited this to his family lineage, specifically pointing to his uncle who spent 41 years as an engineer and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
During the interview, he remarked, “I have the highest of IQs. I have the highest. I’m fine, and I understand that stuff. You know, my uncle was at MIT for 41 years, and you know, I’m a—I believe in genetics, frankly, and I understand.”
This is not the first time he has brought up Dr. John Trump to highlight his own traits. Back in 2016, he spoke about his uncle during a campaign speech, noting, “Dr John Trump at MIT, good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart.” He even shared a black-and-white photo of his uncle at the university on X in early 2024, adding the comment, “My Uncle, Dr. John Trump, at MIT (long before it was woke!)”
Dr. John Trump was a notable figure in his own right
Dr. John Trump was recognized as a pioneer in cancer research and received the National Medal of Science from President Ronald Reagan in 1983. He passed away in 1985. The President has previously mentioned that a letter from his uncle, written on MIT letterhead, is kept in the Oval Office dining room. His former press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, previously defended the President’s focus on his family history by saying, “The President’s very proud of his family.”
Despite the President’s confidence in this genetic connection, the claim did not go unnoticed by users on X. Many people quickly pointed out what they see as a fundamental misunderstanding of how genetics actually function. One user stated, “Trump doesn’t understand how genetics work,” while another added, “Unless his Uncle is actually his Father, than [sic] any intelligence would come from Trump’s Parents/Grandparents, not his Uncle.”
Other reactions were equally critical of the logic being used. One person wrote, “Absolutely nobody believes that if you have a smart uncle that you are as smart as your uncle,” and another simply noted, “Just because your uncle’s smart doesn’t make you smart too.”
This is not the only time the President’s references to his uncle have caused a stir. He previously raised eyebrows when he falsely claimed that his uncle had taught Theodore Kaczynski, who is known for his criminal history. Kaczynski earned his degrees at Harvard and the University of Michigan, rather than being a student of Dr. John Trump at MIT.
Published: Oct 4, 2026 04:48 pm