Donald Trump Baffles Everyone By Claiming He Invented Common Word “Very”

 

In a press conference that left journalists blinking in disbelief and linguists clutching their dictionaries, former President Donald Trump boldly claimed he invented the word “very,” sparking a wave of confusion, mockery, and, predictably, internet memes.

Standing at a gilded podium in Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by American flags and gold-trimmed curtains, Trump addressed reporters during what was meant to be a routine update on his 2024 campaign efforts. The tone, however, took an unexpected detour when he veered into a tangent on the English language.

“You know, people don’t give me credit, but I came up with some of the best words. I really did. Many people don’t know this,” he said, gesturing emphatically. “Words like ‘very’—that’s a Trump original. We made it popular. Before me? Hardly used. Now? Everyone uses it. All the time. Very this, very that. It’s a tremendous word.”

The room fell into a stunned silence before a few reporters exchanged puzzled glances, unsure whether to laugh or raise their hands for clarification. One brave correspondent from The Washington Post asked if the former president was joking.

“No joke,” Trump replied. “Ask anyone. Look it up. Before the 1980s, nobody said ‘very.’ It was all ‘quite’ or ‘rather.’ Sad words. Weak words. But I said, no—we need something better. I made it happen. I revolutionized English.”

Linguists Respond: “Very Confused”

Language experts across the country responded quickly and with bewilderment. Dr. Ellen Morris, a professor of linguistics at Stanford University, called the statement “one of the most bizarre claims I’ve heard in my 30-year career.”

“The word ‘very’ dates back to at least the 13th century,” Dr. Morris explained. “It derives from Old French verai, meaning true or real, and has been a staple of the English language for centuries. Shakespeare used it. Chaucer used it. Even Middle English texts use it. Donald Trump most certainly did not invent it.”

Social media, unsurprisingly, exploded with reactions. Hashtags like #VeryTrump and #WordsByDon trended on X (formerly Twitter) within hours. One viral post photoshopped Trump’s head onto the Mona Lisa with the caption: “Very painted. Very art. Thank you, Trump.” Another user quipped, “Waiting for him to take credit for inventing ‘the’ next.”

Supporters Rally Behind the Claim

Despite the historical inaccuracy, Trump’s most devoted supporters didn’t hesitate to echo his assertions. On Truth Social, his favored platform, dozens of users posted variations of “Trump made ‘very’ great!” and “Another win for Trump’s genius!”

Fox News pundit Tucker Malloy defended the former president on air, saying, “Maybe he didn’t literally invent the word, but he redefined how we use it. He gave it power, confidence. He’s not wrong—Trump changed how people talk.”

Malloy’s statement was followed by a montage of Trump speeches with clips of him saying “very” repeatedly: “very rich,” “very smart,” “very beautiful,” and “very tremendous.” The final tally: 1,647 uses of “very” in public speeches since 2015.

A History of Linguistic Bravado

This isn’t the first time Trump has claimed ownership of language. In 2016, he famously boasted about having “the best words” during a campaign rally. In 2018, he referred to himself as “a stable genius,” sparking debates about the phrase and its apparent contradiction.

More recently, during an appearance on a conservative talk show, Trump joked that the dictionary should include a Trump section. “You open to ‘T’? Boom. Trump. Tremendous. Truth. Total domination. That’s the kind of dictionary I’d read,” he said.

Critics argue that these moments, while often laughed off, reflect a pattern of Trump reshaping narratives to fit his personal mythology. “It’s a blend of performance, ego, and strategic branding,” said Dr. Karen Liu, a political psychologist at Columbia University. “Claiming linguistic innovation, however ridiculous, fits his persona of being the originator of greatness.”

“Very” in Context: A Cultural Phenomenon?

Interestingly, Trump's reliance on the word “very” has become a linguistic quirk that’s been studied. A 2020 analysis by The Atlantic found that Trump used intensifiers like “very,” “tremendous,” and “huge” at five times the rate of previous presidents in public addresses.

“There’s a simplicity and repetition in his speech that makes it resonate with certain audiences,” said Dr. Michael Thomlin, a communications professor at NYU. “Saying something is ‘very big’ or ‘very important’ emphasizes urgency and emotion—even if it lacks precision.”

Whether or not he meant it literally, Trump's bizarre claim has once again demonstrated his unmatched ability to steer the national conversation—even toward something as mundane as adverbs.

The Final Word?

As of press time, Trump had not walked back his comment, instead doubling down in a follow-up post:
“Crooked media doesn’t want you to know—I revitalized ‘very.’ They say Shakespeare used it? Who knows Shakespeare. Nobody reads that anymore. I MADE IT COOL AGAIN.”

Linguists may cringe and historians may roll their eyes, but one thing is certain: Trump remains, in his own words, “very unforgettable.”