Trump claims uncle taught Unabomber despite lack of evidence
- During an event in Pittsburgh on July 16, 2025, President Trump made a dubious claim regarding his uncle's connection to Theodore Kaczynski.
- Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, did not attend MIT and was educated at Harvard and the University of Michigan.
- Trump's assertion has raised questions about the credibility of his statements and the implications of linking his family to a notorious criminal.
In the United States, during an 'Energy and Innovation' summit at Carnegie Mellon University on July 16, 2025, President Donald Trump made a controversial claim about his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, who was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During his speech, Trump stated that Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber due to his deadly letter bombing campaign, was one of his uncle's students. He elaborated by suggesting that there was little difference between a genius and a madman, highlighting Kaczynski's behavior as a student. However, Kaczynski never attended MIT and graduated from Harvard and the University of Michigan. Trump's comments drew attention for being factually incorrect and for highlighting his tendency to make unfounded assertions. This statement occurred amidst a broader set of comments about energy and innovation, during which Trump appeared to struggle with remembering names and details, suggesting a lack of preparedness. The White House Press Secretary faced questions about Trump's claim but offered limited clarification. Critics noted the psychological and historical implications of Trump’s attempt to link his uncle to one of America's most notorious criminals, especially given that Dr. John Trump died in 1985, long before Kaczynski gained infamy. Hence, Trump's statements regarding Kaczynski seemed implausible. This incident showcases the ongoing challenges that the Trump administration faces in preserving credibility, as well as the scrutiny placed on public figures concerning their assertions. The lack of evidence supporting Trump’s claim has sparked discussions among journalists and political commentators alike, with many questioning the motivations behind such statements. The president's family background highlighted his uncle's scientific accomplishments, yet these accomplishments became overshadowed by the controversial narrative attributed to Kaczynski. Such complex interrelations evoke questions about public memory, familial myth-making, and the interplay between personal narratives and historical truth.