By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a recent exchange, former President Donald Trump criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, alleging she possesses a low IQ and challenging her to take a cognitive test. Ocasio-Cortez responded on social media, mocking Trump by alluding to the clock drawing test, a component of cognitive assessments. This follows Ocasio-Cortez’s strategy of using mockery to address perceived insecurities within the Republican party, which she views as a tactic to counter what she considers authoritarian tendencies. She encourages her supporters to utilize this approach.
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So, here’s what’s been happening. The whole world seems to have latched onto this verbal sparring match between AOC and Donald Trump, and it’s a juicy one. It started with Trump, naturally, making some claims about how smart he is, even going so far as to brag about passing cognitive tests. He framed it like some incredible feat of intellectual prowess. Then, AOC, being the quick-witted politician she is, fired back with a zinger.
At the heart of it all is the implication of a low IQ, which AOC picked up on immediately, by saying, “Did Those Doctors Ask You To Draw a Clock By Any Chance?” The comment itself is referencing a common test used to screen for cognitive decline, like dementia, and it’s a pretty sharp dig. To understand the context, you have to know that Trump, on several occasions, has been observed, or has reported, going through various cognitive assessments. The implication, of course, is that these tests are being administered because of concerns about his mental state, not to validate his intelligence.
What’s really fascinating is how Trump framed these tests, or at least how he’s perceived to have framed them. He presented them as these incredibly challenging exams. He even said things like, “Have her pass like the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed. Those are very hard,” which, if you think about it, is a strange thing to brag about. Most people don’t go around boasting about the difficulty of tests designed to catch signs of cognitive decline.
The thing is, these tests aren’t meant to be hard for people with healthy brains. They’re designed to be a screening tool, not a measure of intellectual genius. One of the questions, famously, is about drawing a clock, which AOC’s comment playfully mocks. The clock drawing test is a simple way to assess someone’s ability to plan, understand instructions, and visually represent time. It’s not a measure of innate intelligence. The whole thing highlights the different perception of these tests in stark relief, one is a brag, one is a necessity for the test taker.
The whole situation also underscores a larger point: Trump’s fixation on appearing smart. It suggests a deep-seated insecurity, which makes his behavior even more intriguing. Why would someone constantly feel the need to prove their intelligence? Some people suggest it is the nature of the office he held, or more likely, perhaps the nature of the man himself.
Of course, the debate has moved in many directions. Some are calling for more transparency. If these cognitive tests are being taken, why not release the results? What do the doctors really think? Others have suggested that Trump’s performance on these tests is an indicator of something deeper, that it reveals the nature of the man.
The entire episode showcases the sharp political game. A simple comment, a well-timed jab, and you’ve got everyone talking. It’s a reminder that words can be weapons, and in the world of politics, they’re often used with precision and force. It is also an indictment that so much debate on political issues can be derailed by this kind of side show.
One must also acknowledge that many of the comments in the source content are deeply cynical and derisive. They attack Trump’s intelligence with open derision, and some of the content is definitely not very civil. It highlights, however, the perception of his intelligence, that this is the conversation. It reveals the way some people view him.
Going back to the clock test. If someone is struggling with something as basic as a clock drawing test, that is a bad sign, especially for someone in a position of power. And, the fact that he seems to think it’s a huge accomplishment just adds another layer to the narrative.