Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy with a verbal misstep, leading to renewed scrutiny regarding his grasp of basic information. Fans and critics alike are questioning his understanding of the number of states in the United States following a rumor that he mistakenly claimed to be in contact with “hundreds of governors.” This claim has resurfaced, igniting humor and skepticism about his numerical abilities.
Misunderstanding or Mistake?
The origin of this claim can be traced to a White House briefing during the pandemic, which has recently gained traction on social media. Critics have once again mocked the notion that Trump could make such a significant numerical error.
Social media users were quick to comment. One remarked, “Trump said, ‘Hundreds of governors are calling me.’ We only have 50. Think about that. Take all the time you need.” Another quipped, “Math and numbers are not Trump’s strong suit. He’s constantly embarrassing himself and doesn’t even realize it!”
Others attempted to clarify, stating, “55 actually, but yeah not hundreds. American Samoa, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands also have governors.”
In 2024, the claim continued to circulate, with one user asserting, “He apparently has no idea how many states we have in this country.” Another suggested, “That was a misunderstanding. He said ‘governesses.’”
Fact-Checking the Claims
Despite the flood of memes and mockery, this particular rumor has been debunked multiple times. According to Reuters, what Trump actually stated on April 13, 2020, was: “We could give you hundreds of clips like that … from governors — including Democrat governors … We could give you hundreds of clips just like that.” He was referring to video clips praising his administration, not asserting that the U.S. had hundreds of governors.
Additionally, in a March 2020 interview with Fox and Friends, Trump clearly stated: “I get on calls … we’ll have all 50 governors plus … we have some territories also, but we have 50 governors.”
Nonetheless, the rumor persists, partly because it aligns with a broader narrative that critics argue highlights Trump’s tenuous grasp of basic facts and history.
Public Reactions and Comparisons
This situation mirrors a popular joke from comedian Katt Williams, who lampooned Trump for allegedly claiming to speak with the “president of Puerto Rico” and the “president of the Virgin Islands.” However, fact-checkers later confirmed that these quotes were fabricated and originated from a satirical post.
While the “hundreds of governors” assertion is unfounded, Trump has made enough real-life blunders to keep social media users engaged. In a notable instance during his 2019 Fourth of July speech, he incorrectly stated that the Continental Army “took over the airports,” a claim that puzzled historians as airplanes were not invented until over a century later.
Another eyebrow-raising assertion involved Trump’s repeated claim that Article II of the Constitution grants him the authority to “do whatever I want as president,” a statement that contradicts the fundamental principles of checks and balances taught in U.S. civics classes.
The “hundreds of governors” claim may lack factual basis, but it continues to circulate because, as critics point out, it sounds distinctly like something Trump would say. One user encapsulated this sentiment, stating, “He just be saying stuff and people keep believing him.”
Trump has a history of misusing or mispronouncing common terms, including a recent incident during a White House speech where he confused “adapt” with “adopt.”
His comments often draw immediate online ridicule, not only for the errors themselves but for his apparent unawareness as he continues speaking. Memes and critical comments flooded social media, with some suggesting this behavior indicates a decline in his cognitive sharpness.
In a speech addressing drug-price reform, Trump claimed he invented the word “equalize,” a term that has been in use since the 1500s, according to Merriam-Webster.
Given his extensive record of historical inaccuracies and verbal missteps, many observers are not inclined to dismiss concerns regarding his grasp of basic information anytime soon.
