'It's a dementia screening tool': Cardiologist refutes Donald Trump's 'extreme intelligence' claim

Cardiologist Jonathan Reiner (MD) disputed President Donald Trump's claim of having high intelligence after the latter bragged about the results of his medical tests. Trump claimed that he had aced a cognitive test, but Dr. Reiner claimed that the test being talked about was a dementia screening tool. He said that Trump's score represented someone with normal cognitive function and not high intelligence, and that the questions were not very difficult.

The name of the procedure, according to the New York Times, is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, or MOCA. The 10-minute assessment is also used to screen for signs of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. The President's medical examination was conducted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier this week. Trump bragged about the results of the test on Sunday. "Unlike other U.S. Presidents, none of whom have ever taken an approved, high difficulty, Cognitive Test, I scored a perfect 30 out of 30, considered 'extreme intelligence,'" he wrote.

Trump also claimed to be the only president to have taken such a test, and that his perfect score was "very rare." "All people running for President and Vice President should be forced to take high difficulty Cognitive Tests. Congress and the Dumocrats, should demand it!" he added. Dr. Reiner is not the only one contesting the President's claim. Others in his field have also made similar claims.

Former chief medical officer of Amazon, Dr. Vin Gupta, said that the MOCA test did not assess one's ability to complete difficult tasks under pressure, as is expected of the President of the United States. "It is not something that assesses the ability to do the world's hardest job under pressure…executive functioning. It is not that tool. It is not a neuropsychiatric test. So, he (Trump) misunderstands it," he said on MS Now.

President Trump's health has been a matter of debate, much like that of his predecessor, Joe Biden's. The 79-year-old is the oldest person to be inaugurated as president. His physician, Dr. Sean P. Barbabella, gave a positive update regarding his health, claiming that the President "remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function."

The report also states that Trump underwent an echocardiogram, an ultrasound image of the heart, and had tests done to assess his cardiovascular system. The part of the report that was not so upbeat was the one about the President's physical exam. He had gained 14 pounds since a physical examination in April 2025 and now weighed 238 pounds. The NYT report states that this was getting close to clinical obesity. Dr. Barbabella stated that "preventive counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss."

As far as medication is concerned, President Trump has a history of high cholesterol and takes Crestor and Zetia to lower his LDL cholesterol levels. He also reportedly takes a high dose of aspirin daily to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Trump has rejected medical advice from his doctors to lower his intake.