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US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he hates being called ‘dumb’ more than ‘tyrant’ or ‘dictator. While addressing a rally for a Republican candidate in New York’s Hudson Valley, Trump veered away from economic messaging.
President Donald Trump dances after speaking at Rockland Community College, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Suffern, N.Y.(AP)US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) opened up about the type of criticism that bothers him most, saying that he particularly dislikes being called “dumb,” adding that he doesn’t mind being called a “tyrant” or a “dictator.”
Trump made these remarks while addressing supporters in New York at a campaign-style appearance in the Hudson Valley alongside Republican Congressman Mike Lawler. He said he hates the insult “dumb” so much that he asked his doctor for a test he could take to prove his critics wrong.
The 79-year-old US President said, “I’m the smartest guy you’re ever going to meet,” and followed it up with a question: “Don’t you want to have a smart person as president?”
Trump veers off from economic messaging; focuses on mental fitness
Despite the rally being supposedly about affordability, Trump veered away from economic messaging and directed his focus to a lengthy defense of his intelligence and mental sharpness. He even digressed to share a conversation he had with his doctor following controversy surrounding his “mental fitness.”
Recalling the conversation, Trump said, “They hit me with a bad one: ‘He’s a dumb person.’” He added, “I said, ‘Doctor, I don’t mind being called a brilliant tyrant or dictator, but I don’t want to be called dumb.’”
Narrating the conversation to the audience, the US President went on to say that he asked the doctor whether there was any kind of test he could take. The doctor suggested a cognitive test. Trump said he then asked how many presidents had taken it and was told none had. He also recalled asking whether the test was difficult, adding that while the questions begin easily, they become much harder toward the end.
Trump lashes out at Democrats
During the roughly 90-minute speech in the Hudson Valley, Trump shifted rapidly from topic to topic, including inflation, crime, immigration, voter ID laws, and jabs at his predecessor, Joe Biden. During the event, he slammed Democrats and constantly referred to them as “Dumocrats,” a term he has started using frequently as he urged supporters to be politically engaged ahead of the congressional elections.
Trump boasts about his mental fitness
Previously, the US President has constantly boasted about “acing” cognitive tests multiple times. In April, he slammed his Democratic predecessors, stating that any presidential or vice presidential candidate must go through cognitive tests before running for office.
In a Truth Social post, he wrote, “Anybody running for President or Vice President should be forced to take a Cognitive Examination prior to entering the race! By doing so, we wouldn’t be surprised at people like Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama or ‘Sleepy’ Joe Biden getting ‘elected.’”
Trump backs Lawler
The rally in the Hudson Valley was organized in support of Republican candidate Lawler, one of the few House Republicans representing a district won by former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024. According to media reports, New York’s 17th Congressional District is likely to be one of the most competitive House races in Washington and could play a crucial role in deciding control of Congress.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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