Fact check: Did trump have draft deferments

1. Summary of the results

The analyses from various sources confirm that Donald Trump had draft deferments, including a medical deferment for bone spurs, which has been a point of controversy and criticism ^[1]. The sources provide a timeline of Trump's draft deferments, including four student deferments and a medical deferment for bone spurs, with the details of his medical exemption remaining unclear ^[2]. The majority of the sources agree that Trump received five draft deferments, including one for bone spurs, which was a common practice for young men from influential families during the Vietnam War ^[3]. However, some sources question the legitimacy of his medical deferment, implying it may have been a convenient excuse to avoid the draft ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key point missing from the original statement is the context of the time period, as some sources note that avoiding the draft was not uncommon for young men from influential families during the Vietnam War ^[3]. Additionally, the sources highlight the controversy surrounding Trump's bone spurs diagnosis, which exempted him from military service, and some imply that it may have been fabricated to avoid military service ^[1]. Alternative viewpoints include the idea that Trump's draft deferments were a result of his influential family background, rather than any legitimate medical condition ^[3]. It is also worth noting that Trump has faced backlash for disparaging actual war heroes and claiming to be a 'war hero' himself, despite never serving in the military ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement lacks context and may be misleading, as it does not provide information about the number of draft deferments Trump received or the controversy surrounding his bone spurs diagnosis ^[1]. Some sources may be biased against Trump, as they imply that his medical deferment was fabricated and that he is a 'draft-dodger' ^[1]. On the other hand, some sources may be biased in favor of Trump, as they downplay the significance of his draft deferments and note that avoiding the draft was common during the Vietnam War ^[3]. Overall, the sources suggest that Trump's draft deferments are a complex and controversial issue, and that the original statement may not provide a complete or accurate picture of the situation ^[4].