But asked to account for Donald Trump's political rise Tuesday, the British theoretical physicist was stumped.
"He is a demagogue, who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator."
The Trump campaign did not immediately reply to a message requesting comment.
Hawking is not the first British public figure to make comments critical of the presumptive Republican nominee.
Trump's comments on Islam on the campaign trail - including a claim that Britain has a "massive Muslim problem" - have provoked a backlash in the UK, with British Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Sadiq Khan among the many politicians weighing in against the businessman-turned-politician.
Trump's comments on Islam on the campaign trail - including a claim that Britain has a "massive Muslim problem" - have provoked a backlash in the UK, with British Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Sadiq Khan among the many politicians weighing in against the businessman-turned-politician.
British parliamentarians even debated a potential ban on Trump from the UK - which was triggered by a public petition - for alleged hate speech over his comments.
