Did Trump's MIT professor uncle Dr. John Trump teach Unabomber Ted Kaczynski? POTUS' claim sparks row

Trump claimed at the PA Energy Summit that his uncle, ex-MIT professor Dr. John G. Trump, taught Unabomber Ted Kaczynski—a claim with no evidence.

Updated on: Jul 16, 2025, 01:59:11 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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President Donald Trump claimed at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on Tuesday that his uncle, former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, Dr. John G Trump, taught the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (REUTERS)

However, the claim seemed to be unfounded, as Kaczynski studied at Harvard University and Michigan University, with no relation to MIT when Dr. Trump was teaching there.

"I have to brag just for a second," Trump said. "My uncle was at MIT, one of the great professors. Kaczynski was one of his students. Do you know who Kaczynski is? There's very little difference between a madman and a genius.

"I said, 'What kind of a student was he, Uncle John, Doctor John Trump?' He said, 'Seriously good.' But it didn't work out too well for him, didn't work out too well," Trump added.

Here's the video:

Dr. John G Trump taught at MIT from 1936 to 1973 and specialized in high voltage research. He co-invented one of the first million‑volt X‑ray generators (with Robert J. Van de Graaff), advanced cancer radiotherapy, and pioneered radar technology during WWII. John was the younger brother of Fred Trump Sr, Donald Trump's father.

Also read: Trump's UN envoy pick Waltz says US needs strong voice to counter China

Meanwhile, Ted Kaczynski earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Harvard University in 1962 at the age of 20, having enrolled at just 16. He went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Mathematics in 1964 and a PhD in 1967.

Trump At PA Energy Summit

President Donald Trump, alongside Republican Senator David McCormick, teamed up to court billions of dollars in energy investments in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. “This is a really triumphant day for the people of the commonwealth and the United States of America,” Trump said at the PA Energy Summit.

“We believe America’s destiny is to dominate every industry and be the first in technology,” he added, reasserting his pledge of US “energy dominance” in the global market.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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