Does Milk Have Cognitive Benefits? Donald Trump's Brag May Have Some Merit

United States President Donald Trump has made a few questionable health-related statements during his second term. For instance, he admitted to taking a 325-milligram dose of aspirin daily to keep his blood thin, which is about four times more than someone his age needs for cardiovascular benefits. He also questioned the role that specific routine childhood vaccines and Tylenol might be playing in the rise of autism diagnoses, despite having little evidence to back his position.

However, not all of Trump's health-focused comments are unfounded, including a brag he made about drinking milk in early 2026. While signing a bill giving schools the ability to offer whole and 2% milk to kids again, Trump noted that including milk in one's diet could lead to improved cognition (via X).

During the event, Trump added that it was evident who drank milk and who didn't, because they exhibited better mental performance. At that point, he referred to his taking three cognitive tests in 2025 by saying, "I've aced every one of them because I drink milk."

A little digging reveals that Trump's favorite daily drink seems to be Diet Coke, rather than milk. In fact, he reportedly has a special Oval Office button to order diet Coke on demand. This doesn't mean he doesn't drink milk; he just might drink it less often than he does other beverages.

More digging uncovers legitimate scientific support for Trump's declaration of milk as a cognitive booster. Specifically, a 2012 study in the International Dairy Journal discovered a possible link between the consumption of dairy products and improved cognitive function. The study found that people who ate at least one serving of dairy daily performed "significantly" higher on cognitive tests than those who didn't eat dairy or only ate it occasionally.

Another piece of research validating Trump's pro-milk remarks comes from the University of Kansas Medical Center. In 2023, researchers evaluated the effects of drinking three glasses of 1% milk each day on adults between the ages of 60 and 89 (the same age bracket as Trump). As a result of drinking the dairy milk, the participants experienced a spike in an antioxidant known to protect cognitive health.

Trump isn't the first president to praise milk. Mashed reports that both Zachary Taylor and Abraham Lincoln drank milk regularly. Interestingly, Reader's Digest ranks Lincoln as having a high IQ.