President Donald Trump addressing the press in Singapore following discussions on denuclearization with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
During a pivotal summit in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, US President Donald Trump, while addressing denuclearization, invoked the expertise of a significant figure from his past: his uncle, Professor John Trump of MIT. This wasn’t the first instance of the president referencing his late uncle to lend weight to his viewpoints, particularly on complex subjects like nuclear technology. Professor John Trump, who passed away in 1985, was more than just a relative; he was a distinguished scientist and academic. But who exactly was this MIT professor, and what influence did he have?
The Presidential Citation: Uncle John’s Nuclear Insight
In the aftermath of his discussions with Kim Jong-un, President Trump responded to questions about the timeline for North Korea’s denuclearization by bringing up his uncle. He highlighted Professor John Trump’s profound understanding of nuclear matters.
“Well, I don’t know, when you say a long time,” Mr. Trump stated, elaborating on the complexities of denuclearization. “I think we will do it as fast as it can be done scientifically, as fast as it can be done mechanically.” He then shared anecdotes of his conversations with his uncle, emphasizing, “I had an uncle who was a great professor for, I believe, 40 years at MIT. And I used to discuss nuclear with him all the time.”
He further lauded his uncle’s intellect, “He was a great expert. He was a great, brilliant genius. Dr John Trump at MIT.” Trump recounted receiving a book about his uncle from the head of MIT, underscoring the significant impact Professor Trump had in his field. He concluded by emphasizing the intricate nature of nuclear issues, stating, “You’re talking about a very complex subject. It’s not just like, ‘Oh, gee. Let’s get rid of the nukes.'” This reference served to contextualize the prolonged and intricate process of denuclearization, drawing upon the authority of his uncle’s scientific acumen.
Professor John Trump, a pioneering figure in high-voltage technology, at his MIT laboratory.
Professor John Trump: A Legacy at MIT and Beyond
John Trump was not only Donald Trump’s uncle but also a respected physicist and academic in his own right. Born as the younger brother to Fred Trump, Donald Trump’s father, John Trump forged a remarkable career in science. His obituary in the New York Times noted his passing in 1985 at the age of 78, marking the end of a life dedicated to scientific advancement.
For an impressive 44 years, Professor Trump was a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a leading institution globally recognized for its contributions to science and technology. MIT’s archives detail Professor Trump’s extensive research into high voltage phenomena, electron acceleration, and the interaction between radiation and matter. His pioneering work also extended into medical applications, notably in designing X-ray generators for cancer treatment.
During World War II, his expertise was crucial to the Allied efforts, as he contributed significantly to radar research. His reputation for scientific rigor led the FBI to enlist his services after the death of Nikola Tesla in 1943. Professor Trump was tasked with examining Tesla’s papers and equipment, a testament to his standing in the scientific community. Beyond academia and wartime contributions, he co-established a company specializing in generators for nuclear research, further cementing his influence in the field.
A portrait of Professor John Trump, highlighting his distinguished career as a professor and research associate at MIT.
President Trump has frequently acknowledged his uncle’s profound knowledge, particularly on nuclear matters, over many years. In a campaign speech in July 2016, he lauded his uncle as “a great professor and scientist and engineer,” emphasizing the impact of his uncle’s insights: “Nuclear is powerful, my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago.”
Furthermore, Donald Trump often portrays his uncle as evidence of his family’s exceptional “genes.” In the same 2016 speech, he remarked, “Dr John Trump at MIT, good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart.” This connection to his uncle’s intellect serves not only to highlight a personal connection to scientific expertise but also, as noted in a 2016 New Yorker article, to underscore a narrative of inherited intelligence that President Trump has referenced on multiple occasions. He even extended this sentiment to social media, suggesting that his intellectual capabilities, partly attributed to these “good genes,” would be recognized across the political spectrum.
