The claim that Donald Trump has an IQ of 155 has circulated in various discussions, but there is no verified evidence to support this specific figure. Unlike some standardized measures of intelligence, no official record exists of Trump taking an IQ test. Instead, this number appears to stem from speculation, possibly tied to his education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, though such an estimate lacks empirical backing. To evaluate how this claimed IQ ranks among other U.S. presidents and whether it would make him the "smartest president in history," we can turn to a 2006 study that estimated presidential IQs using a historiometric approach. This method infers intelligence based on factors like education, occupation, and historical achievements rather than direct testing, so it too is an approximation rather than a precise measurement.
Estimated IQs of U.S. Presidents from the 2006 Study
The 2006 study, conducted before Trump’s presidency (which began in 2017), did not include him but provides a benchmark for comparison. Here are some key estimates from that study:
John Quincy Adams: 168.7
Thomas Jefferson: 153.7
Bill Clinton: 148.8
Woodrow Wilson: 145.1
George W. Bush: 124.8
These figures represent the highest and some notable IQ estimates among presidents included in the study. John Quincy Adams tops the list at 168.7, followed closely by Thomas Jefferson at 153.7. The historiometric approach, while useful for historical figures, is not as reliable as a modern IQ test, and its accuracy has been debated among psychologists.
Where Would Trump’s Claimed IQ of 155 Rank?
If we assume for the sake of argument that Trump’s IQ is indeed 155, we can place it within the context of the 2006 study’s estimates:
John Quincy Adams (168.7): Higher than 155
Thomas Jefferson (153.7): Slightly lower than 155
Donald Trump (claimed 155): Would rank here
Bill Clinton (148.8): Lower than 155
Woodrow Wilson (145.1): Lower than 155
George W. Bush (124.8): Much lower than 155
A claimed IQ of 155 would position Trump below John Quincy Adams but above Thomas Jefferson, making him the second-highest in this hypothetical ranking based on the study’s estimates. However, this placement is purely speculative because:
Trump’s IQ has not been officially tested or recorded.
The 2006 study did not include Trump, as it predates his presidency.
The historiometric method used in the study is an indirect estimate, not a direct measurement, and its precision is limited.
Is Trump the Smartest President in History?
Based on the available data, Trump’s claimed IQ of 155—lacking verification—does not conclusively make him the smartest president in history. The 2006 study identifies John Quincy Adams as having the highest estimated IQ at 168.7, significantly above 155. Even if we accept the 155 figure at face value, it falls short of Adams’ estimate. Furthermore, the absence of a confirmed IQ score for Trump undermines any claim to the top spot. Thomas Jefferson, with an estimated IQ of 153.7, is closer to 155 but still below it, though the difference is minor and within the margin of error of such estimates.
Caveats and Context
Lack of Evidence: The 155 figure for Trump appears to be an unverified claim, possibly exaggerated, and is not supported by any documented IQ test. Presidential IQs are rarely measured directly, and most figures, including those in the 2006 study, are educated guesses.
Historiometric Limitations: The study’s method relies on correlations between IQ and traits like education or leadership success, but it’s not a substitute for an actual test. This introduces uncertainty into all the rankings, including Adams’ top score.
Modern Comparisons: More recent presidents, like Bill Clinton (148.8) or George W. Bush (124.8), have lower estimates, but these too are not based on direct tests. Trump’s actual IQ remains unknown, making definitive comparisons impossible.
Conclusion
If Donald Trump’s IQ were genuinely 155, it would rank him near the top among U.S. presidents based on the 2006 study’s estimates—likely second, behind John Quincy Adams (168.7) and just above Thomas Jefferson (153.7). However, there is no credible evidence to confirm this 155 figure, rendering the claim speculative and likely exaggerated. Given that Adams holds the highest estimated IQ and Trump’s score lacks substantiation, Trump cannot be considered the smartest president in history based on current knowledge. The smartest president, according to the best available estimates, remains John Quincy Adams, though all such rankings should be viewed with caution due to the indirect nature of the data.