Jasmine Crockett accepts Trump's IQ challenge, says she’s ready for face off on Jimmy Kimmel's show

After Donald Trump mocked Jasmine Crockett’s intelligence, the Texas congresswoman said she’s ready to face him in a televised cognitive showdown
UPDATED OCT 31, 2025
Jimmy Kimmel proposed hosting a live TV cognitive test and gave viewers a preview by asking Jasmine Crockett a few sample questions on his show (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Forbes Breaking News/YouTube)
Jimmy Kimmel proposed hosting a live TV cognitive test and gave viewers a preview by asking Jasmine Crockett a few sample questions on his show (Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Forbes Breaking News/YouTube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After President Donald Trump mocked Rep Jasmine Crockett’s intelligence and challenged her to take the same cognitive test he once bragged about passing, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' turned the feud into late-night comedy.

Crockett joined Kimmel for a playful mock IQ test, poking fun at Trump’s claims while proving she’s more than ready for a real televised challenge.

Jasmine Crockett accepts Trump’s challenge for live IQ test

After President Donald Trump insulted Jasmine Crockett’s intelligence and challenged her to take the same test he once boasted about passing, the Texas congresswoman said on Wednesday, October 29, that she’s ready to face him in a televised cognitive showdown.



“If he’s down, I’m down,” she told Jimmy Kimmel, days after the president called her a “low IQ person” while bragging about passing a basic cognitive test.

Although Trump referred to it as “an aptitude test,” it was actually the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a screening tool used to detect early signs of cognitive decline or dementia, not a measure of intelligence. The test is widely considered easy to pass for individuals with normal cognitive function.

This week, alongside Crockett, Trump also challenged Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to “go against” him on the same test.

The proposed contest, featuring Trump and the two Democratic lawmakers taking the test live on air, was humorously dubbed by Kimmel as “The James C Kimmel Cognitive Aptitude and Mental Brilliance Invitational.” 

Jimmy Kimmel tests Jasmine Crockett with Trump’s famous questions

Earlier this week, Jimmy Kimmel suggested that everyone should take the cognitive test live on TV with him as the host. On Wednesday night, he gave viewers a preview by asking Jasmine Crockett a few sample questions.

Jimmy Kimmel attends the 2024 Media Access Awards at AVALON Hollywood on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Kevin Winter)
Jimmy Kimmel attends the 2024 Media Access Awards at AVALON Hollywood on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Kimmel first showed her a picture of an elephant, which she identified correctly. He then asked her to repeat five words, another part of the test that Trump has often referenced, claiming his doctors were impressed.

“They said nobody gets it in order. It’s actually not that easy, but for me it was easy,” Trump said in 2020. “That’s not an easy question.” 

Jasmine Crockett picks 'White House ruins' for Trump showdown

Kimmel warned Jasmine Crockett that if President Donald Trump accepts the challenge, there could be some tricky questions along the way.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a hearing with the Subcommittee on Delivering On Government Efficiency in the U.S. Capitol on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House Oversight Subcommittee held the hearing to hear from witnesses on U.S. foreign aid. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Rep Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a hearing with the Subcommittee on Delivering On Government Efficiency in the US Capitol on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House Oversight Subcommittee held the hearing to hear from witnesses on US foreign aid (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“I want to warn you, there are going to be questions that favor him, like, ‘How do you get ketchup out of a bottle?’ And, ‘What’s the difference between a windmill and a ceiling fan?’” he said. “So this is not gonna be easy.”

Even so, Crockett agreed to take on Trump in a live televised cognitive showdown.

“We’re thinking about holding this at either the Meadowlands or the Rose Bowl or the smoldering hole that used to be the East Wing of the White House,” Kimmel said. “Do you have a preference on where it would be?” “I’m saying the hole that used to be the White House,” Crockett replied.  

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