Trump's boast backfires into mockery: 'You'll never hear me call myself stupid'
President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to deliver remarks at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, on May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
May 22, 2026
President Donald Trump's brag on Friday at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, left the internet questioning his comments.
Trump was in Rockland County, New York — the first time a president has visited the town since Gerald Ford in 1976. He was there to deliver a midterm message on the economy and throw support behind Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who is up for re-election in the fall, according to The Associated Press.
The speech took several turns and strayed off topic, with Trump at one point telling his supporters: "You'll never hear me call myself stupid. I’m the smartest guy you’re ever going to meet. In fact I took the cognitive test. I'm the only one."
The internet couldn't help but comment after the remark.
"Only the smartest guy loses the Strait of Hormuz for the entire world," literary agent Mitch Solomon wrote on Bluesky.
"You know who doesn't talk about how brilliant they are? Smart people," Peter Hopey, former columnist for The Bleacher Report, wrote on X.
"Not the cognitive test, again. We might get dinner with his friend, Hannibal Lecter in this speech," user Mason, a frequent political commentator and Iraq war veteran, wrote on X.
"What a complete embarrassment," author and graphic designer Donald Capone wrote on Threads.
Trump: "I am the smartest guy you're ever gonna meet. In fact I took the cogni-titive test. I'm the only one."
[image or embed]
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) May 22, 2026 at 1:24 PM