A new report alleges a doctor in New York City might have provided a medical exemption as a favor that allowed President Donald Trump to avoid serving in the military 50 years ago.
The New York Times wrote Wednesday that Trump's father Fred owned the building that housed the office of podiatrist Dr. Larry Braunstein, who diagnosed Trump with bone spurs in his heels in 1968. Trump had already received the limit of four deferments from being drafted because he was in school.
Braunstein died in 2007, but his daughters told the Times he spoke about writing up the exemption as a favor for Fred Trump.
"I know it was a favor," Dr. Elysa Braunstein said. "But did he examine him? I don't know."
Elysa Braunstein added by giving Donald Trump the medical exemption, Fred Trump would be quick to respond whenever her father needed anything fixed in his office located in the Jamaica section of Queens.
The Braunstein daughters also alleged another podiatrist, Dr. Manny Weinstein, might have been involved in the reported scheme.
Trump himself has spoken about being granted a military exemption from serving in the Vietnam War. His selective service registration card, which he filled out and submitted in 1964 at age 18, indicated he had a "birthmark on both heels."
Trump told the Times in 2016 a doctor "gave me a letter — a very strong letter on the heels." He was asked to provide a copy of the letter but never did, the newspaper reported.
Trump surprised U.S. troops Wednesday by paying them a visit in Iraq, a secretive trip that began on Christmas Day. It marked the first time he has visited a war zone.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.