The late New York podiatrist, Dr. Larry Braunstein, has been accused by his daughters of assisting Donald Trump in avoiding the Vietnam War draft by diagnosing him with bone spurs. According to a recent report, Dr. Braunstein allegedly provided the diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father, Fred Trump. Dr. Braunstein’s daughters, Dr. Elysa Braunstein and Sharon Kessel, shared that their father often recounted this story within their family and friends’ circle.
While the newspaper could not find supporting documents for the family’s claims, Dr. Elysa Braunstein admitted uncertainty about whether her father had examined Donald Trump. Records retrieved by the Times indicate that Dr. Braunstein rented his Jamaica, Queens practice from Fred Trump in the 1960s. The daughters mentioned that their father issued the bone spurs diagnosis as a goodwill gesture towards Fred Trump.
Dr. Elysa Braunstein stated that the diagnosis was a favor that granted her father access to Fred Trump, allowing him to promptly address any issues in the building. She also hinted that President Trump may not have actually had a foot condition, as he received a bone spurs diagnosis in 1968 at the age of 22, shortly after completing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to this medical exemption, Trump had avoided the draft multiple times while pursuing his education. Trump recalled in a 2016 interview that he received a strong letter from a doctor regarding his heels, which he submitted to the draft authorities. However, he could not recall the physician’s identity when questioned further.
Heel spurs are bony growths caused by calcium deposits on the heel bone, with treatment options including stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or surgery. President Trump clarified that he never underwent surgery for heel spurs. Concerns regarding Trump’s health arose during his second term in office, with his medical team disclosing a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects the veins in the arms or legs, potentially leading to swelling and discomfort.
