Fact Check: Did Trump Call Republicans "Dumbest Voters" In 1998?
Did Donald Trump really believe that a significant portion of the electorate was easily misled? The assertion that Donald Trump, in a 1998 interview with People Magazine, declared Republicans to be the "dumbest group of voters" has been circulating for years, but its veracity is questionable at best.
The quote, often presented as part of a larger statement where Trump purportedly said he would run as a Republican because they "believe anything on Fox News" and "I could lie and they’d still eat it up," has gained traction across social media platforms. A meme frequently accompanies this alleged quote, featuring a younger image of Trump. However, a thorough examination reveals a more complex reality: People Magazine has no record of conducting such an interview with Trump in 1998, casting significant doubt on the quote's authenticity. The claim resurfaced as recently as May 2020 and even after his inauguration in 2025, demonstrating its persistence despite being debunked. Kim Lacapria originally published an article addressing this claim, further contributing to the debunking effort.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Donald John Trump |
| Date of Birth | June 14, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Education | B.S. Economics, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (1968) |
| Career | Real Estate Developer, Television Personality, Politician, 45th and 47th President of the United States |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $2.5 billion (2024) |
| Family | Married to Melania Trump; five children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, Barron |
| Key Achievements | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Appointment of conservative judges, withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership |
| Controversies | Multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, Impeachment proceedings, Business dealings |
| Official Website | donaldjtrump.com |
Critics Blast People Magazine Cover Celebrating Trump’s Win HuffPost
FactCheck Trump meme about 'dumb Republicans'
BBC News Channel HARDtalk, Donald Trump, 1998
