Jon Stewart is back in the ring, and this time he’s throwing punches at President Donald Trump’s relentless bragging about his mental fitness. In a recent monologue, Stewart unearthed an old clip showcasing Trump’s epic math fail, effectively dismantling the president's claims of cognitive superiority.
As Trump approaches his 80th birthday, he’s been adamant about his robust health—both physically and mentally. He’s repeatedly declared that he has “aced” multiple cognitive tests, positioning himself as sharper than any commander-in-chief before him.
“I took three cognitive tests. Aced all of them, by the way. ... I don’t think Obama could pass it,” Trump boasted during a press conference last Friday.
But the self-congratulatory tone didn’t stop there. On Monday, he doubled down, claiming, “No president has ever taken a cognitive test except me. I’ve taken three of them.”
While Trump revels in his test-taking prowess, Stewart sees a different narrative. “Why do you think that is?” he quipped during his segment, challenging the notion that being the only president subjected to such scrutiny is a badge of honor.
“Why do you think that you’re the only president that that happens to?” Stewart pressed. “That for some reason, every time you go to the doctor, which is a lot, the doctor is always like, ‘Hey, while you’re here... Could you come over here quickly and explain which one is the bear?’”
Stewart didn’t hold back, labeling Trump a “regular Stephen Hawking” and accusing him of fabricating the results of his cognitive tests. During his Friday presser, Trump recounted a convoluted math question he supposedly aced.
“You know, they say, ‘Take a number, any number,’ OK, I’ll take 99, ‘Multiply times nine,’ OK, ‘Divide it by three,’ good, ’Add 4,293.’ That’s good. ‘Divide by two. Subtract 93. Divide by nine,’” Trump recited.
Stewart was quick to express skepticism about Trump’s ability to tackle such complex math. He backed up his doubts with a throwback clip from a 2006 Howard Stern radio show where Trump and his children were stumped by a simple math question.
Stern asked, “What is 17 times 6?”
After Don Jr. fumbled through an answer and Ivanka attempted to defend him, Trump confidently chimed in with “It's eleven-twelve,” before correcting himself to “one-twelve.”
Even after the correction, he was still wrong.
“It's 102,” Stewart pointed out after the clip aired. “But somehow we’re supposed to believe that 20 years later you’ve turned into a genius?”
Trump’s health has been under scrutiny for some time now. Earlier this year, bruising on his hands sparked speculation about underlying health issues. The White House attributed it to his vigorous handshaking and high aspirin intake. Observers noted swollen ankles following his Florida trip, likely due to chronic venous insufficiency.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that “CVI damages those valves, causing blood to pool in your legs,” leading to increased pressure and symptoms like swelling and ulcers.
A recent poll indicates that public perception of Trump’s health is shifting. According to findings from various sources, 59 percent of respondents doubt his mental acuity for presidential duties, while 55 percent question his physical health. This marks a significant increase from last fall when only 45 percent believed he lacked the physical capability to serve as president.
