Washington: US President Donald Trump has once again sparked headlines after telling supporters that the insult he dislikes most is being called “dumb”, while joking that he does not mind being referred to as a “brilliant tyrant dictator”.

Trump made the remarks during an event in New York City on Friday while addressing supporters at a rally that was initially focused on affordability and economic issues.

During his speech, he veered into a discussion about criticism surrounding his mental fitness and cognitive abilities.

Speaking to the crowd, Trump described himself as “the smartest guy you're ever going to meet” before asking supporters whether they wanted “a smart person as president”.

He then recounted a conversation he said he had with his doctor after critics questioned his intelligence.

“They hit me with a bad one: He's a dumb person,” Trump told the audience.

“I said, ‘Doctor, I don't mind being called a brilliant tyrant dictator, but I don't want to be called dumb,’” he continued.

Trump said he then asked his doctor whether there was a test he could take to prove critics wrong.

“‘What do I do, doctor? Is there some kind of test I can take?’ Trump said, ‘Actually, sir, there is. It's a cognitive test.’ I said, ‘How many presidents have taken it?’ ‘None... No people have taken it.’ I said, ‘Well, is it good or bad? Is it tough?’”

He went on to describe the test as beginning with relatively simple questions before becoming “pretty hard” later on.

Trump repeats claims about ‘acing’ cognitive exams

Trump has repeatedly spoken publicly about passing cognitive examinations.

Last month, he criticised former Democratic presidents and argued that anyone running for president or vice president should be required to undergo cognitive testing before contesting elections.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “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’.”

The president also claimed he had taken the examination three times during his presidency and had passed each attempt successfully.

“I took the Exam three times during my (‘THREE!’) Terms as President, and ACED IT ALL THREE TIMES - An Achievement that, even on a single Exam, according to the Doctors, has rarely been done before!” he wrote.

Experts raise questions over repeated testing

According to The Daily Beast, some medical experts have expressed concern over Trump repeatedly highlighting the cognitive tests.

Henry David Abraham reportedly said that taking the exam multiple times within a short period was itself concerning.

The test Trump referred to is understood to be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is commonly used to screen for dementia and cognitive impairment.

Another expert, John Gartner, told the publication that he believed there were visible signs of cognitive decline in Trump.

“Anybody who has eyes, ears, and a brain... and hasn't drunk the Kool-Aid or been bitten by a MAGA zombie, can see for themselves that this person is transparently mentally ill and cognitively deteriorating,” Gartner said.

Pentagon Chief praises Trump’s health and leadership

Despite criticism from some medical commentators, Trump has continued to receive strong support from allies within Republican circles.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently praised Trump’s mental sharpness and leadership qualities.

Hegseth described Trump as the “sharpest” and “most insightful” commander-in-chief the United States has seen in a long time.

The comments come as questions surrounding age, health and mental fitness continue to remain central issues in American political debate ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

With agency inputs