Dr. YoungHoon Kim, widely recognized for holding the record for the world’s highest IQ, has spoken publicly about President Donald Trump following the U.S. military’s controversial airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Kim, a South Korean doctor with a verified IQ score of 276 — far above the 100 average and nearly double the standard genius threshold of 140 — shared his support for the U.S. president in a post on X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend.
“As the world’s highest IQ record holder, I stand with President Donald Trump,” Kim wrote.
The comment came just hours after Trump authorized airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran on June 21 — an action that has drawn both support and sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Trump later warned Tehran that any retaliation would be met with “a force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”
Public Reaction to Kim’s Endorsement
Kim’s statement gained widespread attention, with some praising his stance and others questioning the relevance of IQ to matters of foreign policy and leadership.
Critics online noted that intelligence alone doesn’t guarantee sound judgment. One user wrote, “Nothing on an IQ test measures compassion, humility, or military strategy.” Another added, “Highest IQ on record, yet supports the dumbest man on the planet — make it make sense.”
Even academic voices chimed in. Researchers from Yale and Harvard have previously questioned the overreliance on IQ tests as a measure of overall intellect or wisdom. Dr. David Perkins of the Harvard Graduate School of Education once compared IQ to height in basketball: “It’s important, but there’s a lot more to being a good player than just being tall.”
Trump Responds with Gratitude
Barron Trump, the president’s 19-year-old son, acknowledged Kim’s post and thanked him publicly, calling the doctor a “genius.” Kim replied with a heart emoji.
Despite the heated political atmosphere, Kim remained firm in his endorsement of Trump’s leadership amid the Iran crisis. He praised the president’s decisive action and echoed his message of strength against potential retaliation.
Background: The Escalating Iran Conflict
The backdrop of Kim’s post is a rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and U.S.-backed Israeli forces. Earlier this month, Israeli intelligence claimed Iran was nearing a critical phase in its nuclear weapons development. On June 13, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a series of strikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
Trump’s June 21 strikes followed those Israeli attacks, intensifying fears of a broader regional conflict. Though the U.S. administration claims the mission was a preventive action to neutralize an imminent threat, critics warn it could draw the U.S. deeper into a long, destabilizing conflict.
Trump’s Warning to Iran
In a strongly worded Truth Social post, Trump wrote in all caps:
“ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
So far, Iran has condemned the attacks and vowed to respond, but has not yet launched a direct counterstrike.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Kim’s endorsement may not change U.S. foreign policy — or public opinion — but it reflects how even the most brilliant minds can see political events through very different lenses. While some view Trump’s actions as reckless warmongering, others see them as necessary steps to ensure national security.
For Kim, whose intelligence is beyond dispute, the choice is clear: he stands with Trump. For the rest of the world, the unfolding events in the Middle East remain deeply uncertain.
