Donald Trump claimed he coined the word “equalize,” calling it the “best word,” despite the term being in use since the 1500s.
During a press conference on May 19, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping new executive order designed to curb the rising cost of prescription medications.
The order gives pharmaceutical companies 30 days to present a plan to reduce prices significantly.
If they don’t comply, HHS under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will enforce drug pricing to match international rates.
“We’re going to make it fair,” Trump said. “We’re going to make it equal.”
Trump claims to have invented a ‘new word’ despite its centuries-old usage in English
As he detailed the policy, Trump veered into linguistic territory. “Basically, what we’re doing is equalizing,” he stated.
“There’s a new word that I came up with, which is probably the best word.”
He went on to say that Americans should be paying what European countries pay for the same medications.
While Trump framed “equalize” as his own invention, the term is anything but new.
According to Merriam-Webster, the word “equalize” dates back to at least 1599.
It has long been a standard term in discussions around fairness, mathematics, and policy.
President has used the word before on record
Ironically, Trump himself has publicly used “equalize” on multiple occasions. Most recently, he included the term during a speech to Congress on March 5.
At that time, he was criticizing President Joe Biden’s level of support for Ukraine in comparison to Europe’s contributions.
“It’s hard to believe that they wouldn’t have stopped it and said at some point, come on, let’s equalize,” Trump said during that address.
Despite this, his claim to have invented the word drew widespread reactions on social media, with many quick to point out the discrepancy.
Public reacts to Trump’s linguistic ‘discovery’
As expected, Trump’s comment triggered a wave of humor and disbelief online.
Critics emphasized the irony of a well-documented term being declared new. Others shared historical uses of “equalize” as proof of its longevity.
This isn’t the first time Trump has drawn attention for his word choices.
In a previous speech on April 2, dubbed his “Liberation Day” address, he unexpectedly fixated on the word “groceries.”
He called it an “old-fashioned but beautiful term.”
He described groceries as “a bag with different things in it,” prompting similar waves of online amusement.
Linguistic moments becoming a Trump trademark
Whether intentional or not, Trump’s tendency to spotlight everyday words as groundbreaking has become a hallmark of his public speaking style.
These moments often go viral, providing both entertainment and fodder for critics.
Still, supporters argue that Trump’s language is part of his broader appeal.
They say he breaks down complex policy issues into simple, relatable terms.
While the internet continues to debate Trump’s vocabulary, the executive order itself has serious implications for the pharmaceutical industry.
With just 30 days to show price reductions, manufacturers are under pressure to act quickly.
Should they fail, new regulations may significantly reshape how Americans pay for medication, regardless of the “new” words used to describe the plan.