Anna Hartz
“Cognitive Genius?” Trump’s Box Struggle Leaves People Doubting
Donald Trump has built much of his public image around strength, control, and his supposed mental sharpness.
He often reminds people that he “aced” cognitive tests. He boasts about leadership.
But sometimes, even small moments can chip away at carefully crafted images.
This week, Trump went viral again. Not for something he said. Not for something he promised. But for not being able to open a box, writed Ladbible.
The incident happened during a ceremony in the Oval Office. Trump was presenting the first-ever Medal of Sacrifice to the families of three fallen law enforcement officers.
It was meant to be a solemn, respectful moment. The medals, made by Tiffany & Co., were placed in elegant boxes on the desk in front of him.
Trump picked one up. Then stared at it. His expression shifted from serious to confused.
He fumbled with the lid, feeling around it like someone trying to solve a puzzle. Then came the comment.
“Do you want to help us out with this?” he asked Alexandre Arnault from Tiffany. “You’re the one who made it.”
Laughter bubbled in the room. Trump chuckled too and went on to call the medal beautiful. But the internet was already busy tearing him apart.
Clips spread quickly across X (formerly Twitter). One user wrote, “Guy that constantly brags about acing his cognitive test can’t even open a box.”
Others compared him to a toddler trying to open a toy before handing it to an adult for help.
People brought up other past blunders. Like the time he left an umbrella behind on Air Force One. Or moments when he seemed confused by simple tasks.
In this case, Trump eventually got other boxes open. But the damage had already been done online.
For many watching, it wasn’t just about the box. It was a reminder that even the simplest things can get complicated—especially when cameras are rolling.