Donald Trump’s struggle to open a medal box has gone viral, sparking online jokes and doubts about his cognitive claims.
President Donald Trump became a viral spectacle after a clumsy moment during a solemn ceremony.
While awarding the inaugural Medal of Sacrifice to families of fallen Florida law enforcement officers, Trump faced an awkward moment.
His struggle with a decorative box became the unexpected focus of the event.
Trump mocked online after viral moment sparks doubts about his cognitive test result
The event, held in the Oval Office on Monday, May 19, intended to honor three police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The newly created Medal of Sacrifice, designed by renowned jeweler Tiffany & Co., was presented to the victims’ families.
What was meant to be a solemn moment turned humorous when Trump struggled to open a presentation box.
Trump turns to Tiffany executive for help
With cameras rolling and guests watching, Trump lifted one of the boxes, visibly puzzled.
His face shifted through a series of bewildered expressions as he tried to figure out how to open it.
After fumbling for several moments, he turned to Alexandre Arnault, representing Tiffany & Co., for assistance.
“Do you want to help us out with this?” Trump asked, prompting uncomfortable laughter from those in the room. “You’re the one who made it.”
After the box opened for him, Trump went on to compliment the medal’s design, calling it “beautiful,” and then posed for photos.
Social media reactions
Unsurprisingly, the awkward moment quickly spread online.
Many users mocked the incident, questioning how someone who has frequently boasted about passing cognitive tests with ease could fail to open a simple box.
One widely shared post read, “The guy who says he aced a cognitive test can’t figure out a box.”
Others compared the scene to a child struggling with a toy and needing parental help.
“It’s like a toddler giving a toy to mom to open,” one person commented.
The second user said: Because he never took it and I wouldn’t be worried so much about a cognitive test as I would a psychiatric exam
The fourth user said: He had someone do it for him like his college tests
Another user added: He didn’t pass!!!
Someone wrote: Do you not realize he exaggerates everything. They tell him he passed and he hears that he aced it.
Critics were quick to connect this incident with earlier episodes where Trump seemed similarly befuddled.
One resurfaced clip showed him leaving an umbrella outside a plane after failing to close it properly.
These minor moments fuel an online narrative mocking Trump’s perceived lack of basic competence.
Cognitive test boasts under renewed scrutiny
The viral clip has reignited skepticism about Trump’s oft-repeated claim of excelling in cognitive evaluations.
In past campaign rallies and interviews, he has spoken proudly about performing exceptionally well on cognitive assessments.
In 2020, he remarked that doctors “very surprised” by his test results and insisted that scoring highly is “rare.”
Incidents like this have led critics to question Trump’s actual cognitive sharpness.