Did Trump say Republicans are the dumbest group of voters? [Video]

A meme that claims to show the quote from Trump in a 1998 People magazine interview has made the rounds on social media for years. But it’s fabricated.

A political meme that’s made the rounds on social media in recent years claims to show a quote from former President Donald Trump where he disparaged Republican voters.

The meme includes a photo of Trump and what it claims is a portion of his comments from a 1998 People magazine interview.

“If I were to run, I’d run as a Republican. They’re the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they’d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific,” the quote attributed to Trump reads.

Several VERIFY readers, including Jackie, have emailed and texted us asking if Trump really said this.