Joe Rogan Reminds Guest Donald Trump Didn't Serve in Vietnam

 

On Friday’s episode of *The Joe Rogan Experience*, host Joe Rogan and guest Evan Hafer delved into the military service—or lack thereof—of prominent Vietnam War-era politicians. Hafer, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company, began critiquing leaders from that era who never served in Vietnam. Rogan interrupted to point out that President-elect Donald Trump also avoided serving in the war.

Hafer, critical of the George W. Bush administration, noted that many U.S. leaders responsible for military strategy had neither served nor had family members deployed. He contrasted this with contemporary figures like Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, and J.D. Vance, all of whom served in the armed forces. 

“When decision-makers have never been to war, and their kids will never go to war—Cheney’s kids didn’t, Bush’s kids didn’t—it’s easier for them to advocate for war,” Hafer said. He highlighted the absence of Vietnam service among many leaders from that era.

Rogan interjected, “But nor did Trump. Trump didn’t either, right? He got a bunch of deferments?”

Hafer agreed, acknowledging the distinction between Trump’s anti-war rhetoric and leaders who actively promoted military engagement. “When someone says, ‘Stop the endless wars,’ I’m more inclined to support that narrative than policies creating chaos for American servicemembers and others.”

Trump avoided Vietnam through a 1968 medical deferment for bone spurs, reportedly diagnosed by Dr. Larry Braunstein. A 2018 *New York Times* report alleged Braunstein issued the diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father, Fred Trump, from whom Braunstein rented office space. Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen testified to Congress that Trump admitted fabricating the injury to dodge the draft, recounting Trump saying, “You think I’m stupid? I wasn’t going to Vietnam.”

Trump has faced criticism for comments about veterans, including a controversial remark about the late Senator John McCain, a Vietnam POW. During his 2016 campaign, Trump said McCain was a hero only because he was captured, adding, “I like people who weren’t captured.”