Donald Trump Says He Invented a “New Word” — But the Internet Isn’t Buying It
U.S. President Donald Trump is no stranger to making headlines with bold statements — but his latest claim has left many scratching their heads and reaching for a dictionary.
During a White House press conference outlining his plan to lower prescription drug costs, Trump, 78, announced what he called one of the most significant executive actions in recent history.
The initiative aims to reduce medication prices for Americans by up to 80%, bringing costs in line with those paid in European countries.
“The rest of the world is going to have to pay more, and America’s going to pay a lot less,” Trump explained. “Because we’re a smaller population compared to the rest of the world.”
But what really grabbed attention was not the policy itself — it was a curious moment in the speech when Trump declared:
“So basically what we’re doing is equalizing. It’s a new word that I came up with, and I think it’s probably the best word.”
That statement quickly sparked a wave of confusion and amusement.
Did Donald Trump just claim to invent the word “equalizing”?
A Word with a Long History
According to historians, linguists, and every major dictionary, the term equalize has been around for centuries — long before the 45th president ever took office.
In fact, Merriam-Webster cites the earliest known use of “equalizing” in 1559.
Language expert Farrukh Younus posted a video response breaking it down further.
He explained the word’s origins:
Latin root: aequalis (equal)
Late Latin: aequalizare (to make equal)
English usage: Appeared around 1480–1500 as equalise, with the American spelling evolving into equalize
Younus concluded, “So no, the word wasn’t invented in 2025 — it’s been around for over 500 years.”
Social Media Responds
It didn’t take long for the internet to react. Across platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, users poked fun at Trump’s claim:
“Pretty sure I’ve heard that word before… maybe in school?”
“There was literally a TV show in the ‘80s called The Equalizer. Did Trump write that too?”
Others recalled Trump’s recent viral moment involving an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, which briefly appeared on one of his official accounts before being removed.
Though he later denied creating the image, the post added fuel to the perception that Trump enjoys grand declarations — and attention-grabbing visuals.
Can a President Invent a Word?
While Trump has often been praised by his supporters for his confidence and flair for branding, claiming to create a word that’s been in use for half a millennium is a stretch too far for most.
Still, in the unpredictable world of politics, even the most surprising soundbites manage to trend — and this one certainly did.
In summary: The word “equalizing” isn’t new — not even close. But in classic Trump fashion, the moment sparked laughter, debates, and memes, reminding us once again that in modern politics, facts often compete with showmanship.
