Headline Roundup • December 26th, 2018
New York Times Report Alleges NY Podiatrist Helped Trump Avoid Vietnam War
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A New York Times report alleges that a podiatrist in Queens, NY helped President Trump avoid the Vietnam War by signing off on a fake bone spur diagnosis as a favor to Trump's father, Fred Trump, who owned the doctor's office building. The article has come under some scrutiny from right-leaning publications and media personalities who have criticized its lack of corroborating evidence, particularly since the podiatrist in question is deceased.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam?

New York Times (News)
News
In the fall of 1968, Donald J. Trump received a timely diagnosis of bone spurs in his heels that led to his medical exemption from the military during Vietnam.
New York Times tracks down anti-Trump children of deceased doctor to run uncorroborated Vietnam allegations
News
The New York Times tracked down the daughters of a doctor – who has been dead for over a decade – to report their claims that their dad helped now-President Trump avoid military service
Daughters of NY podiatrist allege he helped Trump avoid Vietnam War: New York Times
News
A New York podiatrist may have given President Trump the bone spurs diagnosis that helped him avoid military service as a favor to Trump’s father, according to a New York Times report.
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