Trump Claims His Uncle Was MIT Longest Serving Professor, Fact Check

Donald Trump has once again found himself in the spotlight as he addresses concerns about his mental competency. Critics argue that the former president may not be suitable for another run at the White House.

At a rally in Nevada on Saturday, Trump reiterated the findings of a cognitive decline test he underwent during his time in office. This comes as Republican contender Nikki Haley persists in questioning his mental abilities.

During a recent speech, Trump made a statement about his family lineage, specifically mentioning his uncle, Professor John Trump. According to Trump, his uncle was a highly intelligent individual and held the record for being the longest-serving professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

At a rally in Nevada on January 27, 2024, Donald Trump made a statement about his uncle, who he claimed is the longest serving professor in the history of MIT.

“I had an uncle,” the individual shared. Doctor John Trump, the longest serving professor in the history of MIT, made a statement emphasizing the intelligence of himself and his colleagues. “We are smart people,” Trump stated confidently.

“We are similar to racehorses, Mr. Lieutenant Governor,” said the speaker. It is well known that the speed at which something is produced directly affects its quality. This principle holds true in various scenarios, as exemplified by the fact that slower production often leads to less favorable outcomes. “However, there is no distinction between us in that regard.”

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In a February 1985 obituary, The New York Times provides a detailed account of Professor John Trump’s familial background. According to the obituary, he was the brother of Frederick C. Trump and the uncle of Donald Trump, both renowned figures in the realm of New York real estate development. Additional reports from reputable sources such as the BBC, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker have also verified this lineage and his tenure at MIT.

Despite his extensive tenure at MIT, he did not hold the record for being the university’s longest-serving professor. According to an MIT spokesperson, the claim that he was the “longest-serving faculty member in the history of MIT” has been refuted based on information from MIT Institutional Research and Human Resources, as well as an obituary.

In a recent statement, the spokesperson has confirmed the career trajectory of Trump. According to the spokesperson, Trump started his professional journey as a research associate after completing his doctorate from the university in 1933. He then went on to become an assistant professor in electrical engineering in 1936.

Trump held the position of a full professor until 1973 and continued to contribute as a senior lecturer/professor emeritus until his passing in 1985. In another obituary published by the National Academy of Engineering, it is reported that Trump was promoted to professor in 1952, confirming the previously mentioned details.

According to reports, Trump’s association with MIT lasted an impressive 49 years, during which he held the title of MIT professor and had a staff or honorary role for a remarkable 52 years. Nevertheless, he falls short of being the institution’s longest-serving academic.

A spokesperson from MIT stated that according to their records dating back to 1990, there have been at least 10 individuals who have served as professors at MIT for a minimum of 53 years. While Professor Trump may not hold the record for the longest-serving faculty member in MIT’s history, he was highly regarded and contributed to the community for many decades, making him one of the longest-serving faculty members.

MIT did not disclose the identities of the professors who worked longer, but Newsweek managed to locate two of them through online sources. Harold Eugene “Doc” Edgerton, the renowned inventor of the electronic flash, was appointed as a professor of electrical engineering at the university in 1928. He went on to achieve the prestigious titles of institute professor and professor emeritus at MIT, where he remained until his passing in 1990.