Fact Check: Is Donald Trump a Draft Dodger?
What We Know
Donald Trump received a medical exemption from military service during the Vietnam War due to a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels. This diagnosis was made in the fall of 1968, which led to his classification as 1-Y, a temporary medical exemption that meant he could only be drafted in the event of a national emergency (source-1). Prior to this, he had received several educational deferments while attending college. His Selective Service records indicate that he was declared available for service in 1968, after exhausting his education deferments, and the medical exemption was the reason he did not serve (source-2).
The circumstances surrounding his diagnosis have raised questions. Reports suggest that the podiatrist who diagnosed him, Dr. Larry Braunstein, was a tenant of Trump's father, Fred Trump, and that the diagnosis may have been granted as a favor (source-1). Braunstein's daughters have recounted that their father often spoke of helping Trump as a favor to his father, although they could not confirm the specifics of the examination (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Donald Trump is a draft dodger is partially supported by the evidence available. While it is true that he received a medical exemption, the term "draft dodger" typically implies an intentional evasion of military service through deceit or manipulation. Trump's case is complicated by the fact that he did have a legitimate medical diagnosis, albeit one that many critics find dubious given his athletic background (source-4).
Critics have pointed out that the timing and nature of his diagnosis raise suspicions about the legitimacy of the exemption. Trump's own statements have varied over the years, with him initially attributing his exemption to a high draft lottery number, which contradicts the timeline of his medical exemption (source-2). Furthermore, the lack of concrete medical records and the familial connections between Trump and the diagnosing physician add to the skepticism surrounding his exemption (source-1).
However, it is also important to note that many individuals from wealthy backgrounds utilized various means to avoid service during the Vietnam War, and Trump's situation is not unique in this regard (source-6).
Conclusion
The verdict on whether Donald Trump is a draft dodger is Partially True. While he did receive a medical exemption that allowed him to avoid military service, the circumstances surrounding that exemption raise questions about its legitimacy. The lack of definitive evidence and the potential influence of his father's connections complicate the narrative. Thus, while he did not serve, the classification of his actions as "draft dodging" is nuanced and not entirely straightforward.
Sources
- Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam? The New York Times
- Donald Trump's Selective Service Records - The New York Times The New York Times
- trump-deferment-history-from-selective-service.pdf Washington Post
- Draft evasion in the Vietnam War Wikipedia
- Donald Trump's Draft Deferments: Four for College, One for Bad Feet The New York Times
- Trump's Military Draft Deferment Isn't Unusual - The Atlantic The Atlantic
- Donald Trump's Draft Deferments - Snopes.com Snopes
- Dodging and deferring: Trump wasn't the only POTUS to avoid the draft Army Times
