Full Breakdown
Trump Claims Perfect Scores on Montreal Cognitive Assessment
5/5/2026, 9:57:11 PM
Trump Claims Perfect Scores on Montreal Cognitive Assessment
President Donald Trump told participants at the White House Small Business Summit on Monday that he has taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) three times and “aced each one,” citing a doctor’s comment that it was the first perfect score they had seen. He illustrated a sample item, asking, “The first question is very easy… Which is the squirrel?”
Background: Purpose of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment
The MoCA, created by Canadian neurologist Ziad Nasreddine, is a brief screening tool used in roughly 200 countries to detect early cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease. It comprises tasks like clock drawing and word recall; the average healthy adult scores 26 out of 30, and about ten percent of people in Trump’s age group achieve a perfect result. The test is intentionally easy for healthy adults, focusing on detecting deficits rather than measuring intelligence.
Data & Statistics
- Average MoCA score: 26/30.
- Approximate perfect-score rate for people of Trump’s age: 10 %.
- Washington Post poll: 59 % doubt Trump’s mental sharpness, 55 % doubt his physical health; 40 % say he is mentally fit.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump said his repeated perfect scores prove his cognitive fitness and urged that “all presidential candidates take cognitive tests,” noting he is the only sitting president to have taken the test multiple times. Nasreddine replied that a perfect MoCA score only confirms the absence of obvious impairment and does not indicate exceptional ability.
Criticism & Opposition
Nasreddine’s comments challenge Trump’s framing of the MoCA as an IQ test, emphasizing its role in detecting memory and attention deficits. The Washington Post poll further shows a majority questioning Trump’s mental sharpness and physical health. Nasreddine also noted that the MoCA is intended to be administered by professionals, not self-administered.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It wasn’t designed to be a test of IQ,” — Ziad Nasreddine, Canadian neurologist
- “I think he’s proud that he is able to demonstrate that his cognition is fine,” — Ziad Nasreddine
- “One doctor said, ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone get all questions right.’ That’s a doctor who does this stuff for a living.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “You have a lion, a bear, an alligator, and a, what’s another good..? A squirrel. Which is the squirrel?” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
What’s Next
Trump’s push for universal cognitive testing may influence upcoming campaign debates and prompt further expert analysis of the MoCA’s political use.
