Los Angeles, CA — In an unprecedented turn of events, late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel launched a public takedown of former President Donald Trump on his popular show Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he revealed an unexpected and deeply personal document: Trump’s 1965 SAT score.
The revelation came as part of Kimmel’s response to Trump’s recent mocking of Harvard graduates, and it’s safe to say, it left the nation—and the former president—reeling.
In what will likely go down in history as one of the most memorable moments in late-night television history, Kimmel’s decision to release Trump’s SAT score on-air during a live broadcast was the culmination of weeks of tension between the two public figures. Trump, known for his boisterous remarks and unapologetic self-promotion, had recently mocked Harvard graduates, calling them “elitist” and accusing them of being less intelligent than they believed. But Kimmel, the sharp-witted host who has never been shy about criticizing Trump, saw an opening, and he took it.
The release of Trump’s SAT score—one that was far below the expectations for someone who had claimed to be the “best and brightest”—immediately sparked a media firestorm. What was intended as a playful dig at Trump’s public persona quickly turned into a full-fledged political spectacle, leaving both Trump’s supporters and critics scrambling to respond.
The Lead-Up: Trump’s Disdain for Harvard Graduates
It all began a few weeks ago when Trump, during a speech at a political rally in Texas, mocked Harvard University graduates and their “elitist” attitudes. Speaking to his loyal supporters, Trump belittled the very idea of Ivy League institutions, claiming that they produced a generation of “soft” intellectuals who lacked common sense and real-world experience.
“These people—Harvard grads, all of them—they think they’re so smart, don’t they? They think they know everything. But let me tell you, folks, I’m smarter than them, I’m better than them, and I never had to go to one of these fancy schools to know that.”
Trump’s rhetoric wasn’t new; throughout his presidency and even after leaving office, he has frequently criticized the academic elite, particularly those who graduated from Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. But his latest tirade about Harvard graduates seemed to strike a nerve, especially among those who had attended the prestigious university and worked hard to earn their degrees.
Kimmel, a frequent critic of Trump’s political posturing, saw an opportunity to respond. Known for his comedic style and sharp wit, Kimmel’s show has often been a platform for lampooning the former president’s various missteps. And this time, Kimmel decided to take it one step further.
The Moment of Reckoning: Kimmel Releases Trump’s 1965 SAT Score
It all went down on the October 12th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! The show, which airs on ABC, is known for its mix of celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and political commentary. On this particular evening, Kimmel was on fire. After a segment where he skewered Trump’s most recent comments about Harvard graduates, Kimmel turned to the camera and, with a sly grin, announced that he had “something very special” to share with the audience.
“So, folks,” Kimmel began, leaning into the microphone with an almost mischievous tone, “I’ve been hearing a lot about these so-called ‘elite’ Harvard grads lately. And I got to thinking—if Trump really thinks he’s smarter than them, maybe we should take a look at his academic record. I mean, let’s see how smart he was back in the day.”
At that moment, Kimmel reached under the desk and pulled out a manila envelope, carefully holding it up to the camera. The audience’s interest was piqued. They had no idea what was about to happen, but they could tell that Kimmel was gearing up for something big.
“I’ve got something here,” Kimmel continued, his voice almost giddy with anticipation, “that I think everyone should see. It’s a little something from 1965—a time when Donald Trump was applying to schools like Harvard and trying to prove how smart he is.”
The room fell silent as Kimmel ripped open the envelope and pulled out a copy of Trump’s SAT score from 1965—a document that had remained hidden from the public eye for decades. The score, displayed on the screen for millions of viewers, was a bombshell: a 1,350 out of 1,600.
Now, while this score may seem decent to the average person, it was far below the average SAT score for students accepted into Ivy League institutions like Harvard, particularly in the 1960s. The average SAT score for Harvard students during that time was typically above 1,500, making Trump’s score look decidedly underwhelming in comparison to the elite intellectuals he had mocked just days before.
Kimmel wasted no time in pointing out the discrepancy.
“Well, well, well,” Kimmel said, the crowd erupting in laughter. “Seems like Trump’s ‘genius’ didn’t quite shine through on the SAT, did it? I mean, 1,350? That’s what we’re working with here? I guess we’ve been hearing a lot about this ‘very stable genius,’ but maybe we need to rethink that one.”
The audience was in stitches, and social media erupted with memes and posts about the revelation. The hashtag #TrumpSATScore quickly began trending, and late-night comedy shows across the country were buzzing with the news. In an instant, the narrative surrounding Trump’s self-proclaimed brilliance began to unravel.
The Fallout: Trump’s Response and Media Frenzy
As expected, the backlash from Trump’s supporters was swift. Conservative outlets and social media accounts immediately sprang into action, defending the former president’s honor and trying to downplay the significance of the SAT score. Some argued that the score was irrelevant to Trump’s later success, citing his business empire, television career, and political achievements. Others suggested that the score was just a “snapshot in time” and didn’t reflect his “real intelligence.”
But for many, Kimmel’s release of Trump’s SAT score was more than just a joke—it was a revelation of the hypocrisy that Trump had long relied on. Throughout his political career, Trump had positioned himself as the “best and brightest,” often claiming to be a genius and boasting about his superior intellect. Kimmel’s stunt exposed the stark contrast between Trump’s self-promotion and the reality of his academic background, much to the delight of his critics.
In a statement released by his office shortly after the Jimmy Kimmel Live! episode aired, Trump dismissed the entire affair as a “stupid stunt” and continued to mock his critics.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” Trump said, in typical fashion. “I’ve done more for this country than anyone ever could. My accomplishments speak for themselves. The fake news media can keep doing their best to distract the American people, but they won’t succeed.”
But despite his defiance, the damage was done. The release of Trump’s SAT score was a direct challenge to his image as a self-made genius, and it’s unlikely that he could easily brush it off. Political analysts began to weigh in, suggesting that this moment could mark a turning point for Trump’s public perception, particularly as the 2024 election cycle heats up.
The Political Impact: Is This the End of Trump’s “Genius” Narrative?
The release of Trump’s SAT score is unlikely to affect his base of loyal supporters, who have long embraced his brashness and unconventional approach to politics. However, for those who were already skeptical of Trump’s claims to intellectual superiority, Kimmel’s stunt only added fuel to the fire. The “genius” narrative that Trump had built his political persona around was suddenly in tatters.
For some, the revelation was seen as a metaphor for Trump’s political career—a man who often exaggerated his achievements, inflated his own importance, and used rhetoric to mask his shortcomings. In many ways, his SAT score was just another piece of evidence that Trump’s public persona was more about image than substance.
But the broader impact may come in the form of public perception. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, political commentators are already speculating that Kimmel’s playful jab at Trump could be part of a larger effort to discredit him and undermine his authority. While Trump’s loyalists may dismiss the release of his SAT score as irrelevant, others may see it as a symbol of his inability to live up to the image of intelligence and success that he so often portrayed.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the “Stable Genius”
In the end, Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to release Trump’s SAT score on live television will likely be remembered as one of the most entertaining moments of the political season. But beyond the laughs, it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of Trump’s carefully crafted image. For years, he has claimed to be the smartest person in the room, the “stable genius” who always knows best. But as Kimmel so effectively demonstrated, sometimes the truth has a way of catching up with you.
Whether or not this moment will have lasting political consequences remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: Donald Trump’s SAT score will likely be a topic of conversation for a long time to come.
