DIAGNOSIS: “TRUMP” Trump once again declared himself a “damn genius,” supposedly confirmed by doctors. Fine. But what he actually demonstrated—again—is something very different. And this time it happened in Florida. “You know, I’m the only president who’s taken a cognitive test. I don’t think Obama could pass it… And Biden? Give me a break… The first question is very simple. There’s a lion, a giraffe, a bear, and a shark. And the question is: which one is the bear? It’s a very standard test, but the last ten questions are very difficult. Not many people—even in this room—would be able to answer them.” The room, which had been laughing, went quiet—then broke into applause. As if to say: yes, Mr. President, we’re the idiots here, not you. And he kept going. “When I got my results, the doctor said: ‘Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this…’” Let’s slow this down. The test Trump is talking about is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). It’s a basic screening tool used to detect possible cognitive impairment—dementia, Alzheimer’s, vascular or Parkinsonian issues. It is not an IQ test. It does not measure “genius.” Recognizing a bear isn’t an achievement—it’s a baseline function. These tasks assess visual recognition, language access, attention, and memory. Failing them can indicate neurological problems like agnosia, where a person sees an object but cannot identify it. Passing them simply means those basic functions are intact. Nothing more. The “very difficult” final tasks? Name as many words as possible starting with a given letter in 60 seconds (11+ is considered normal). Explain what a train and a bicycle have in common (they’re both modes of transport). State the current date. That’s the level. If this feels like a major intellectual victory, that’s not reassuring. So what’s actually happening? Trump is using a medical screening tool to sell an image of brilliance. He’s replacing meaning with performance—turning a routine check of cognitive baseline into “proof” of exceptional intelligence. It’s not just incorrect; it’s manipulative. The real purpose of the test is simple: to determine whether an aging person remains cognitively stable. Now, could this behavior itself point to something? Possibly. In the DSM-5—the global standard for diagnosing mental disorders—there’s what’s known as Cluster B: personality disorders marked by dramatic, emotional, and erratic behavior. One of them is Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It’s defined by a persistent pattern of grandiosity, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. It affects relationships, judgment, and emotional stability. It occurs in about 1–2% of the population, more often in men, and typically begins in early adulthood. On its own, it doesn’t always require treatment. But it becomes a serious issue when it leads to destructive decisions—especially at the level of state power. And that’s where the real question begins.