Trump ridicules AOC and Crockett as 'low IQ', dares them to pass his Walter Reed cognitive tests

TOKYO, JAPAN: President Donald Trump took fresh aim at two of his Democratic critics, Reps Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), calling them "low IQ people."

His remarks came during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, October 27.

He claimed they would fail the cognitive test he took at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Trump says Jasmine and AOC would fail 'an IQ test'

The president remarked about the Democrats that, "They have Jasmine Crockett, a low-IQ person. They have AOC’s low-IQ. If you give her an IQ test, have her pass like the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed."

"I took those — very hard ones. They’re really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way, but they’re cognitive tests," Trump said, recounting the test he took recently, which he has often cited as proof of his mental acuity.

Trump then went on to ridicule both lawmakers further.

"Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump. I don’t think Jasmine- the first couple of questions are easy. A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know," he continued.

"But when you get up to about five or six and then when you get up to 10 and 20 and 25, they couldn’t come close to answering any of those questions,” he said, adding that the Walter Reed test involved “advanced medical imaging.”

Trump touts 'great people' on his team for 2028

Trump also used the in-flight press interaction to praise members of his inner circle and potential Republican contenders for the 2028 presidential race.

When asked about his earlier comment that “for 2028 there are very good people,” Trump hinted at strong party unity but refrained from naming his top choice.

"Well, we have great people. Well, I don’t have to get into that, but we have one of them standing right here. We have JD [Vance] obviously," Trump said.

"The vice president is great. Marco [Rubio] is great. I’m not sure if anybody would run against us. I think if they have a form to group it would be unstoppable, I do. I really believe that,” Trump concluded.

Trump blames Democrats for shutdown and stalled paychecks

When asked about the government shutdown’s impact on air traffic controllers and federal paychecks, Trump squarely blamed Democrats for holding up what he called a “simple extension” to reopen the government.

"The Democrats are holding it up. They want $1.5 trillion for people that came out of prisons, or illegal aliens that come into our country," he said. 

"We don’t want to do that because that will really hurt the health care that we have in our country, and frankly, we’d like to see better health care," Trump added.

He also said that the GOP was unified and only needed “five votes” from Democrats to pass the measure.

“The Republicans are with us. We only need five votes. So, let’s see what happens,” Trump clarified.

“Our country is doing so well economically — it’s doing incredibly well. The Democrats should let it open. I guess they don’t do that because it’s doing so well. It’s too bad,” he added.

Trump also reiterated his praise for Timothy Mellon, the private individual who, he said, personally contributed $130 million to ensure that US military personnel were paid during the shutdown.

“How about the man that put up $130 million to make sure our military got paid?” Trump said.

"He wrote a check for $130 million because he’s an unbelievable patriot, and that’s what it’s all about," Trump concluded.

Trump stops in Japan before heading to South Korea

After departing Malaysia, Trump arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport at around 5 pm local time following a six-hour flight.

Japan, a key US ally, is a significant stop in this Asia tour.

Trump met Emperor Naruhito, six years after their first encounter in 2019, when Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were state guests shortly after Naruhito ascended the throne.

Trump is also reportedly scheduled to meet newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, deliver a speech aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier anchored in Japan, and attend a dinner with business leaders before departing for South Korea, the final stop on his trip on Wednesday.