The late New York podiatrist, Dr. Larry Braunstein, was alleged by his daughters to have assisted Donald Trump in avoiding the Vietnam War draft by diagnosing him with bone spurs. According to a recent report, Dr. Braunstein reportedly provided the diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father, Fred Trump. Dr. Elysa Braunstein and Sharon Kessel, the daughters of Dr. Braunstein, disclosed to the New York Times that their father often recounted this story as part of their family history.
Although no supporting documents were found by the newspaper, Elysa Braunstein mentioned uncertainty regarding whether her father had actually examined Donald Trump. Records from the Times revealed that Dr. Braunstein rented his Queens surgery from Fred Trump in the 1960s. The daughters stated that their father issued the bone spurs diagnosis as a gesture of goodwill towards Fred Trump, as reported by the Mirror US.
Elysa Braunstein explained to the Times that she believed the diagnosis was a favor that provided her father with access to Fred Trump. She added that her father hinted that President Trump did not actually suffer from any foot condition. In 1968, at the age of 22, Trump received a diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels shortly after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, as reported by CNN.
Prior to this medical exemption, Trump had avoided the military draft on four occasions while pursuing his education. Trump recalled during a 2016 interview that a doctor had provided him with a strong letter regarding the heel spurs, which he submitted to draft authorities. However, he could not recall the doctor’s identity when pressed for details.
Heel spurs are characterized by bony growths due to calcium deposits on the heel bone, with treatment options including stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or surgery. President Trump has stated that he never underwent surgery for this condition.
Questions about President Trump’s health emerged during his second term in office. His medical team revealed this summer that he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a vascular condition that can lead to discomfort, swelling, and throbbing sensations in the arms or legs.