Why Trumpism Makes Obsolete Psychological Terms Trend Again
Indiana State Senator Mike Bohacek (R) recently took to Facebook to warn that “words have consequences” after the president hurled a slur during a late-night immigration rant, branding a Democrat as “seriously retarded.” Senator Bohacek, whose daughter has Down syndrome, spoke from painful personal experience. I, too, have several relatives with intellectual disabilities, so his response resonated deeply.
Decades ago, “mentally retarded” was a clinical term used in medicine, education, and federal law to describe certain intellectual disabilities. Over time, disabled people, families, and advocates made it unmistakably clear: the word had devolved into a weapon. It was no longer a diagnosis — it was a slur, wielded to belittle, mock, or dehumanize.
Because of that, the term was officially removed from federal statute in 2010 under Rosa’s Law, and the medical community replaced it with intellectual disability or developmental disability. Today, “retarded” is widely recognized as hurtful, inaccurate, and demeaning. When someone uses it as an insult — especially toward a person without disabilities — it reveals far more about the speaker’s character than anything else.
Which brings me to the heart of this essay: the correct use — and spectacular misuse — of the words idiot, imbecile, and moron.
These words also once had clinical definitions before entering everyday language as labels for reckless, foolish, or self-destructive behavior. Several commenters recently used them to describe Trump, Vance, Hegseth, Kennedy, and others — so let’s ensure we’re applying them with accuracy, precision, and full comedic force, strictly in the realm of political satire.
Of course, these terms are no longer used clinically. But judging by the behavior of Trump, Vance, Hegseth, and Kennedy, one might think they’re trying to drag these classifications back into scientific relevance through daily demonstration.
As Senator Bohacek reminded us, words have consequences — and so do the people who choose them.
1. The Historical Definitions of Idiot, Imbecile, and Moron
(No longer clinical, but extremely useful for satire)
These definitions are offered for context only; they are not used in modern medicine.
But they help us reclaim the terms exclusively for political behavior — never disability.
Idiot
Historically: IQ below 25; required full-time care
Satirical political meaning:
Someone who acts with absolute confidence and zero comprehension of consequences — proudly wrong in public.
Imbecile
Historically: IQ 25–50
Satirical political meaning:
Understands just enough to be dangerous, yet consistently chooses the worst possible option with swagger.
Moron
Historically: IQ 51–70
Satirical political meaning:
A person who imitates intelligence — long words, big gestures — but whose conclusions are so flawed even Wikipedia would side-eye them.
2. The Fully Satirical Political Field Manual
A zoological guide to modern political dysfunction
This has nothing to do with disability — it’s about behavior.
THE IDIOT
Political subspecies: Homo cluelessus
Behavior markers:
- Signs unconstitutional executive orders in Sharpie
- Thinks blowing up civilian boats “projects strength”
- Declares: “I didn’t read the Constitution, but I feel it.”
Observed examples:
- Trump at any microphone
- RFK Jr. discussing science
- Cabinet members asking, “Is this illegal-illegal or Trump-illegal?”
THE IMBECILE
Political subspecies: Homo faceplantus
Behavior markers:
- “Exposes” a Navy Captain’s medals without realizing the photo was mirrored
- Misinterprets uniform regulations with gusto
- Treats tweeting insults as national security planning
Observed examples:
- Pete “Kegsbreath” Hegseth
- JD Vance defining patriotism
- Anyone who thinks Sarah Palin’s “I can see Russia” counts as foreign policy
THE MORON
Political subspecies: Homo fauxsmarticus
Behavior markers:
- Issues long statements that say absolutely nothing
- Quotes laws they have never read
- Googles “What is a Distinguished Flying Cross?” before attacking Mark Kelly
Observed examples:
- Trump-appointed judges interpreting the Constitution like it’s a Waffle House menu
- Pundits calling combat heroes “weak”
- Anyone bragging that the MAGA Navy is “winning” by sinking fishing boats
3. The Unified Theory of Political Foolishness
Idiots invent bad ideas.
Imbeciles carry out the bad ideas.
Morons go on TV to explain why the bad ideas were good ideas.
And then — all three turn around and attack Mark Kelly:
combat pilot, astronaut, senator, constitutionalist, and functioning adult.
In the Domestic Autocracy Bloc, competence looks like witchcraft.
4. The Official Satirical Taxonomy
Where Trump, Vance, Hegseth, and RFK Jr. really fall
This is the classification chart every reader secretly wanted:
Donald Trump — The Apex Idiot
Supreme Idiotus Maximus
A rare specimen who manages to be idiot, imbecile, and moron depending on the time of day.
JD Vance — The Ivy League Imbecile
Imbecilus Opportunistica
Knows just enough to be dangerous, then chooses the dumbest possible interpretation anyway.
Pete “Kegsbreath” Hegseth — The Combat-Grade Moron
Moronus Braggadocius
A man who confused a mirrored photo with a military scandal.
RFK Jr. — The Conspiracy Imbecile Deluxe
Imbecilus Tinfoilius
Possesses just enough education to misunderstand everything.
Together, they are:
The Holy Cadre of Dumbassery.
Future scholars, brace yourselves.
5. Why Naming This Matters
The point isn’t cruelty — it’s clarity.
Democracies collapse not only through violence but through the erosion of truth, accountability, and language. When leaders weaponize ignorance, distort law, or deploy slurs, naming the behavior becomes an act of civic defense.
Senator Bohacek is right: words have consequences.
Refusing to let political bullies hide behind them does too.
6. This essay wouldn’t’ be complete without a little Moron humor:
Now that taxonomy has been mapped, it’s time to equip you with a few essential “field jokes” — the kind researchers jot in the margins when studying the political Moron Class. Consider these your pocket guide to identifying Homo fauxsmarticus or moron.
A Brief but Necessary Moronology: Recognizing Homo Fauxsmarticus in Its Natural Habitat”
1.What do you get when you cross a moron with a microphone?
Primetime on Fox.
2.What do you call a political moron who thinks criticizing Mark Kelly’s medals is “national security”?
Secretary of Defense… apparently.
3. Why did the political moron call the Pentagon at 3 a.m.?
He needed help spelling “treason.”
4. Why don’t political morons play chess?
Too many legal moves.
5. How many political morons does it take to change a lightbulb?
Three:
– One to screw it in
– One to deny the light exists
– One to claim Joe Biden stole it
6. What’s the political moron’s favorite constitutional amendment?
Whichever one he thinks excuses him from following the law this week.
7. Why do political morons love conspiracy theories?
Because it’s easier than learning how anything actually works.
8. Why do political morons love strongmen?
Because thinking for yourself is hard, but obeying is easy — especially when you don’t know any better.
9. Why did the political moron sit at his desk staring at a blank sheet of paper?
He was drafting policy.
10. A political moron, an imbecile, and an idiot walk into a press conference.
The White House calls it a “policy briefing.”
A Brief but Necessary Moronology: One-Liners for Identifying Homo Fauxsmarticus
1. You know you're dealing with a political moron when:
- He says, “I know the best words,” but none of them are in the dictionary.
- He uses the phrase “many people are saying” more often than he uses logic.
- He thinks reading a briefing is optional, but tweeting a tantrum is mandatory.
- He calls experts “stupid people” and his own reflection “a stable genius.”
2. A political moron shouting “shut up, piggy!” is always hilarious — mainly because the only thing squealing is his ego.
3. When a political moron yells “shut up piggy,” it’s not an insult — it’s a cry for help from someone losing an argument to basic facts.
4. When a political moron says, “stupid people,” what he really means is “people who didn’t vote for him.”
Because this is a collaborative project in public education, I’ll extend an invitation here:
If you have any political moron jokes or one-liners, please share it in the comments — the field researchers will thank you.
Conclusion
This new tongue-in-cheek taxonomy isn’t about reviving outdated medical terms — it’s about calling political behavior by its proper satirical name. When leaders embrace ignorance, cruelty, or incompetence, we need precise language to describe the threat they pose.
And if Trump, Vance, Hegseth, and RFK Jr. have done anything for public discourse, it is this:
They’ve made us reach back into the linguistic attic, dust off the old labels, and say,
“Well… if the shoe fits.”
