Trump's Warrior Persona Faces Scrutiny Over Vietnam Draft Record
Donald Trump's cultivated image as a political warrior stands in stark contrast to his documented avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War, according to political commentators and historians examining the US President's record. This analysis emerges as Trump's recent comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan have reignited debate about his relationship with military service and those who serve.
NATO Remarks Spark Veteran Fury
The controversy intensified following Trump's interview with Fox News in Davos, where he questioned NATO's reliability and suggested alliance troops stayed "a little off the frontlines" during the Afghanistan conflict. These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and veterans alike, with one mother of a veteran describing them as "the ultimate insult" to those who served.
This criticism gains particular resonance given Trump's own military service history. Navy veteran and retired NASA astronaut Captain Mark Kelly has previously stated that the commander-in-chief avoided the Vietnam draft in the 1960s, a claim supported by archival documents showing Trump received multiple deferments.
Documented Draft Avoidance
Records from US archives reveal that Trump, now 79, was assessed eight times for military service but was never enlisted. He received student deferments while attending Fordham University and the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a medical exemption after graduation. One document shows he was disqualified following an armed forces physical examination.
Although the precise medical reason remains officially unstated, Trump has cited bone spurs in one or both heels as the cause. However, Professor David Dunn, chair in international politics at the University of Birmingham, notes: "Trump refuses to release his medical records and he's never had an operation to remove the bone spur, which suggests that it's spurious."
Contradictory Evidence Emerges
Further questions arise from another document referring to birth marks on both heels rather than bone spurs. Additionally, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen testified to Congress that Trump told him, "You think I'm stupid, I wasn't going to Vietnam."
Professor Dunn highlights the apparent disconnect: "There's a long history of Trump having a fraught relationship with the military and we can see within this his contempt of the notion of military service." He references Trump's controversial comment about former Navy pilot John McCain, who endured captivity as a prisoner of war: "I like people who weren't captured."
Historical Context and Political Trends
Dr Laura Smith, a specialist in American presidential history at the University of Oxford, observes: "While being labeled a 'draft dodger' was once seen as political dynamite, the ability of politicians to become commander in chief regardless of their service seems to have become a trend." She notes this pattern is likely to continue given the unpopularity of America's recent foreign interventions.
Trump is not alone among US presidents who avoided Vietnam service. Bill Clinton received educational deferments while studying in England, George W. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, and Joe Biden received student deferments followed by a '1-Y' classification limiting his draft eligibility to national emergencies.
Family Influence and Medical Questions
Seasoned White House watcher Mike Tappin, honorary fellow at Keele University, suggests family wealth played a role: "The history of American politics shows rich people got out of it. One can draw the conclusion that his father Fred bought him the deferment."
In 2018, the daughters of New York podiatrist Dr Larry Braunstein claimed their father diagnosed Trump with bone spurs as a "favour" to his property mogul father. Trump's own son would later acknowledge a "very strong letter" about the condition but couldn't recall the doctor's name.
Performative Politics Versus Substance
Professor Dunn identifies a broader political pattern: "It tells us that someone shown to have dodged the draft can be elected president, that it's no block to service. It's about performativity; it seems Americans prefer candidates, or presidents, who are performative rather than substantive."
This analysis extends to Trump's recent push to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, which Secretary of War Pete Hegseth describes as promoting a "warrior ethos" while rejecting "woke garbage or political correctness." Dr Smith questions this historical revisionism: "The Defense Department has existed since the end of WWII – the entirety of the period of America's existence as the global superpower."
Ongoing Political Implications
The draft avoidance issue continues to surface in contemporary politics. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Congressional Medal of Honor holder seriously injured in Iraq, has publicly called Trump "cadet bone spurs" and a draft dodger. Meanwhile, Trump has promised to bring UFC events to the White House, further cultivating his combative public image.
As Trump prepares for a state visit to the UK, where he will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle, questions about his military service record and its contrast with his warrior rhetoric remain politically relevant. The White House has been approached for comment on these matters as the debate about presidential service and public persona continues to evolve in American politics.
