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Donald Trump mocked for '6th grade reading level' as he moves to abolish Department of Education

While the complete dissolution of the department requires congressional approval, the action marks a major step in fulfilling Donald Trump's promise

BY JUNA THARAKAN

UPDATED MAR 22, 2025

Donald Trump signed an executive order to abolish the Department of Education (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump initiated the long-anticipated elimination of the Department of Education as he signed an executive order on Friday, March 21.

While the complete dissolution of the department requires congressional approval, this executive action marks a major step in fulfilling his campaign promise.

Trump: And it sounds strange, doesn't it? Department of Education— we're going to eliminate it pic.twitter.com/wcFZNafQ6p
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2025

Donald Trump's move to abolish Department of Education

Standing before an audience, Donald Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the decision, emphasizing his belief that America's education system has been declining for years.

Citing statistics, he claimed that "70% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading or math."

He also compared the US education system to that of other nations, stating, "Denmark, Norway, Sweden, I give them a lot of credit. China’s top 10."

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was expected to address Congress on his early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) — Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025, in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Social media questions Donald Trump’s literacy

The announcement quickly sparked criticism online, with many questioning Donald Trump’s own educational competency.

One user mocked the president, stating, "A guy with a (generously) 6th-grade reading level struggling to read the announcement about getting rid of the Department of Education is very strange, yes."

A guy with a (generously) 6th grade reading level struggling to read the announcement about getting rid of the Department of Education is very strange, yes.
— Church Of The Divine Atheist (@raybadberry) March 20, 2025

"I am sure education does sound very strange to Trump supporters," a netizen remarked while another opined, "It sounds strange...department of education... Sounds strange when you don't have the education," and someone penned, "Funny he wants to do this after his son finished school. He couldn’t care less about our babies."

I am sure education does sound very strange to Trump supporters
— Dark Rick Wilson (@NotChayse) March 20, 2025

It sounds strange...department of education...
Sounds strange when you don't have the education
— Stu Segal (@Stu1986LFC) March 20, 2025

Funny he wants to do this after his son finished school. He couldn’t care less about our babies
— veronica (@veronic90542179) March 20, 2025

Inside the executive order signed by Donald Trump

According to a White House summary, the order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States."

The plan also ensures the "uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order on expanding access to IVF at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. Later today Fox News will air a joint interview between President Trump and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) — Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order on expanding access to IVF at his Mar-a-Lago resort on February 18, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida (Getty Images)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that while the department will be significantly downsized, it will still oversee student loans, Pell Grants, and enforce certain civil rights laws.

Donald Trump faces political backlash from Democrats

Democratic leaders condemned Donald Trump's move, with Senator Elizabeth Warren calling it "a code red for every public school student, parent, and teacher in this country."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration and co-founder of the World Wrestling Entertainment, to shrink the $100 billion department, which cannot be dissolved without Congressional approval. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — Donald Trump delivers remarks before signing an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Critics argue that dismantling the department could undermine federal protections and funding for disadvantaged students, according to The Irish Star.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.