Donald Trump takes credit for a ‘new word' — a word first used in the 16th century
President Donald Trump took credit for creating a new word while talking about lowering drug prices — a word first used in the late 16th century.
During a press conference on Monday, Trump raised the issue of drug prices and said that, through an executive order, drug prices in the United States will be reduced by '60, 70, 80, 90%.' Lowering drug prices will 'equalize' with drug prices across the globe.
'Basically, what we're doing is equalizing,' Trump said. 'There's a new word that I came up with, which is probably the best word. We're going to equalize where we're all going to pay the same. We're going to pay what Europe's going to pay.'
However, the word has been around for much longer despite the president's claim. 'Equalize' was first used in 1599, according to Merriam-Webster.
The president has a history of making similar claims of making up words or introducing new words to the American lexicon. In April, Trump addressed his sweeping tariffs in the aftermath of 'Liberation Day' and used the word 'panican.'
'The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO,' he wrote on Truth Social on April 7. 'Don't be Weak! Don't be Stupid! Don't be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!'
During his first term in May 2017, Trump tweeted a partial sentence that ended with the word 'covfefe' before he deleted the tweet and followed it hours later with, 'Who can figure out the true meaning of 'covfefe' ??? Enjoy!'
Almost a decade ago, in December 2015, Trump spoke in South Carolina on the campaign trail about his use of vocabulary while attacking the Obama administration.
'I'm very highly educated,' Trump told supporters. 'I know words, I know the best words. But there's no better word than stupid.'
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