If you asked Donald Trump who was the greatest person ever to have lived, he’d say “Donald Trump”

Donald Trump’s knack for self-praise is the gift that keeps on giving. Part Einstein, part superhero – at least in his own mind – Trump’s confidence is a spectacle. Take his word for it:

“I took my cognitive exam as part of my physical exam, and I got the highest mark,” Trump said at an event in the Oval Office. “One of the doctors said, ‘Sir, I’ve never seen anybody get that kind of – that was the highest mark’.”

Naturally.

Trump’s boundless self-love is ripe for a playful roast. Below, we dive into a curated list of his most outlandish, verified boasts, spiced up with my own tongue-in-cheek commentary to stand out from the countless compilations of his grandiose claims.

Trump’s Tall Tales: A Bumper Crop of Outrageous Boasts

Here’s a collection of Donald Trump’s most over-the-top brags and what makes them outrageous.

On Leadership and Expertise

“I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.”

•  When/Where: September 2016, NBC Commander-in-Chief Forum.

•  Context: Trump claimed he could outsmart U.S. generals on tackling the Islamic State. No military experience needed.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: Dismissing battle-hardened brass as a TV-star candidate is pure chutzpah.

“Nobody builds walls better than me, believe me.”

•  When/Where: February 2016, GOP primary debate.

•  Context: Hyping his border wall plan, Trump cast himself as the ultimate construction guru.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: His real estate resume doesn’t quite make him a modern Hadrian.

“I know more about courts than any human being on Earth.”

•  When/Where: June 2018, White House remarks.

•  Context: Defending his judicial picks, Trump claimed legal supremacy, despite no law degree.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: Outshining every judge and lawyer globally is a stretch, even for a litigious guy.

On Smarts and Genius

“I’m, like, a really smart person.”

•  When/Where: August 2015, NBC Meet the Press. (He repeated this claim multiple times over the years.)

•  Context: Defending his decision not to read extensively, Trump claimed innate intelligence.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: The vague, self-aggrandising “like” is pure Trump, sidestepping evidence for raw confidence.

“I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.”

•  When/Where: March 2016, NBC interview.

•  Context: Defending his foreign policy, Trump praised his own brainpower in a gloriously vague way.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: It’s less a boast, more a word salad that screams confidence over clarity. Word salad meets supreme confidence – peak Trump.

“My IQ is one of the highest – and you all know it!”

•  When/Where: December 2013, Twitter (pre-X).

•  Context: Trump tweeted he’s a genius, demanding people stop calling him stupid.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: No IQ test proof, just a tantrum in 140 characters.

I’m a “very stable genius.”

• Too much to unpack in this one:

 

 

On the Economy and Trade

“Tariffs are the greatest thing ever invented.”

•  When/Where: September 2024, Flint, Michigan speech.

•  Context: Trump hyped tariffs as a cure-all for U.S. economic woes, claiming they’d boost jobs, cut deficits, and even promote world peace.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: I don’t have to say much here as we’ve all seen how that’s turned out. Economists cringed, yet he’s the tariff king.

“I think nobody knows more about taxes than I do, maybe in the history of the world.”

•  When/Where: May 2016, AP interview.

•  Context: Trump pitched himself as a tax reform wizard, despite dodging his own returns. He touted his tax expertise while defending his business practices, implying he could reform the U.S. tax code better than anyone.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: His tax secrecy undercuts the claim, yet he’s the “best” at it. Bold for a guy whose tax returns were famously elusive, suggesting he’s the ultimate authority despite scrutiny over his finances.

On Health and Physical Prowess

“He loved looking at my body. It was so strong and powerful. But he said I’m the healthiest president that’s ever lived…“

•  When/Where: August 2022, campaign rally.

•  Context: Trump claimed unmatched fitness, despite being 76 and vague on details.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: No evidence, which makes it a classic Trump flex.

“I was supposed to be a professional baseball player.”

•  When/Where: 2010, MTV interview.

•  Context: Trump said he was scouted for baseball, implying pro-level talent. Suggested he could’ve gone pro if not for business.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: It’s a stretch for a guy more known for golf swings than home runs. Pure fantasy.

 

 

And Some Wildcard Brags

“I know more about drones than anybody. I know about every form of safety that you can have.”

•  When/Where: January 2019, Cabinet meeting.

•  Context: Trump bragged about his drone expertise during a discussion on border security, claiming unmatched knowledge of their tech and safety.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: A real head-scratcher, as he offered no evidence of drone expertise, yet declared himself the global guru on a niche tech.

“I think nobody knows much more about technology, this kind of technology certainly, than I do.”

•  When/Where: January 2019, White House briefing.

•  Context: A gloriously garbled boast about drone tech, claiming to outknow himself. He stumbled through a redundant boast, claiming tech superiority while discussing border drones, despite the circular logic.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: The circular logic is comedy gold – Trump vs. Trump in a tech-off. The verbal fumble – claiming to know more than himself – is absurdly funny yet revealing of his need to dominate any topic.

“Nobody loves the Bible more than me.”

•  When/Where: June 2016, Christian Broadcasting Network.

•  Context: Wooing evangelicals, Trump claimed spiritual supremacy, despite rare churchgoing.

•  Why It’s Outrageous: Out-loving devout believers with no proof is bold, even for him.

And there you have it – a dazzling parade of Trump’s most audacious self-compliments, each one a monument to his unshakable ego. From cognitive triumphs to superhuman feats, the man’s a legend in his own mind. But let’s be honest: when you’re Donald Trump, why settle for mere mortal praise when you can crown yourself king? Here’s to the next round of boasts – because with Trump, the show never ends.

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969