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

Donald Trump mocked Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming they couldn’t answer questions from his cognitive exams
UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO
President Donald Trump mocked Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for being ‘low IQ’, as he slammed Democrats again for the shutdown, on Monday, October 27 aboard Air Force One (Getty Images)
President Donald Trump mocked Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for being ‘low IQ’, as he slammed Democrats again for the shutdown, on Monday, October 27 aboard Air Force One (Getty Images)


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.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) listens during a mark up meeting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce committee on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to discuss legislative recommendations for budget reconciliation. The committee room was surrounded by protesters fearing cuts or increased costs to medicaid. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) listens during a mark up meeting with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce committee on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025 in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 19: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates, politicians, and Democratic party supporters are in Chicago for the convention, concluding with current Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party's presidential nomination. The DNC takes place from August 19-22. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks onstage during the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

"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.”

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 14: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. Trump is attending the game with lawmakers and Cabinet nominees including, Vice President-elect JD Vance, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and others. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Donald Trump and JD Vance attend the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024, in Landover, Maryland (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to President Trump's joint address to Congress on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was expected to address Congress on the early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda. (Photo by Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to President Trump's joint address to Congress on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC (Tierney L Cross/Getty Images)

"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.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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.

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett speaks during The Color of Conversation during 2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival at Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center on August 07, 2025 in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett speaks during The Color of Conversation during 2025 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival at Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center on August 07, 2025, in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump is greeted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 27, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. Trump is visiting Japan, fresh off an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and will next travel to South Korea for the APEC meetings
President Donald Trump is greeted by Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on October 27, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan (Getty Images)

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.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 10: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks at the Detroit Economic Club on October 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Michigan is considered a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, holding 15 electoral votes. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Donald Trump, speaks at the Detroit Economic Club on October 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

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.

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