Fact check: Did Donald trump really have bone spurs

1. Summary of the results

The evidence strongly suggests that Donald Trump did not legitimately have bone spurs. Multiple sources converge on the conclusion that Trump's bone spurs diagnosis was fabricated to avoid military service during the Vietnam War.

Key findings include:

• Michael Cohen's testimony: Trump's former lawyer testified that Trump made up a medical issue to avoid military service, directly stating "I wasn't going to Vietnam" ^[1]
• The foot doctor's daughters' account: The daughters of a Queens foot doctor revealed that their late father diagnosed Trump with bone spurs as a "favor" to Fred Trump, Trump's father, implying the diagnosis was not medically legitimate ^[2]
• Pattern of questioning: Multiple sources highlight the "mystery" surrounding Trump's bone spurs diagnosis, questioning its legitimacy and suggesting it was a fabricated excuse to avoid military service ^{[3] [4]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses provided do not include:

• Trump's own medical records or any independent medical verification of the bone spurs diagnosis
• Trump's personal response to these allegations or any defense of the legitimacy of his medical deferment
• Historical context about how common medical deferments were during the Vietnam War era
• Legal implications of potentially fraudulent medical deferments
• Other individuals who may have received similar "favor" diagnoses from the same doctor

Who benefits from different narratives:

• Trump and his supporters would benefit from maintaining that the bone spurs were legitimate, preserving his reputation and avoiding accusations of draft dodging
• Political opponents benefit from the narrative that Trump fabricated the condition, as it undermines his credibility and patriotic image
• Military families and veterans have a vested interest in the truth, as fraudulent deferments would be seen as disrespectful to those who served

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "Did Donald Trump really have bone spurs" appears neutral but may contain an implicit assumption that there is legitimate doubt about the diagnosis. However, based on the evidence provided, this skepticism appears well-founded rather than biased.

The question does not present misinformation but rather seeks clarification on a matter where substantial evidence suggests the medical condition was fabricated. The convergence of testimony from Trump's former lawyer and the foot doctor's family members provides compelling evidence that the bone spurs diagnosis was not legitimate medical grounds for military deferment.