Trump's Military Academy Roommate Recalls Him as 'Cadet Bonespurs' Over Draft Deferment
Art Davie, who shared a room with Donald Trump at the New York Military Academy in the early 1960s, recalled that classmates nicknamed Trump 'Cadet Bonespurs' after he received a medical deferment to avoid the Vietnam-era draft. Trump received four educational deferments followed by a medical deferment for bone spurs, with the podiatrist's daughters later claiming the diagnosis was done as a favor to Trump's father. The account adds to longstanding scrutiny of Trump's lack of military service, which has been a recurring point of criticism throughout his public career.
Art Davie, a former roommate of Donald Trump at the New York Military Academy in the early 1960s, told The Daily Beast that classmates mockingly called Trump 'Cadet Bonespurs' due to his medical deferment from the Vietnam-era draft. Davie, who later enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam, described the teenage Trump as egotistical and self-promotional. Trump avoided military service through four educational deferments and then a medical deferment for bone spurs. In 2018, The New York Times reported that the daughters of the podiatrist who issued the bone spurs diagnosis claimed their father did so as a favor to Trump's father, Fred Trump, who owned the building where the doctor practiced, and that it was unclear whether the doctor ever examined Trump. Trump's avoidance of military service has been a recurring source of criticism, including during his attacks on late Senator John McCain and following the Trump Organization's release of military-inspired clothing.
What's missing
The article does not include Trump's own explanation or response regarding the bone spurs deferment or the classmate's account. Additionally, while the podiatrist's daughters' claims are mentioned, the article does not note whether the podiatrist himself or Trump's medical records have ever publicly addressed the diagnosis.
What different sources said
- The IndependentLeft
Trump’s military academy bunkmate reveals nickname president earned after getting out of draft
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