So Hal, why is it that only Trump’s get talked about in the media, and not Biden’s?!
Judge Judy, I enjoy your TV show. Here is your answer:
The main reason you hear more about Donald Trump’s Vietnam draft deferments than Joe Biden’s is that the type of deferments, the circumstances behind them, and how they’ve been publicly discussed are very different — and that difference shapes media coverage.
Here’s the breakdown:
1. The nature of the deferments
Donald Trump: Received five deferments — four for education (common for college students at the time) and one for a medical reason (“bone spurs” in his heels). That last deferment has drawn attention because the bone spur diagnosis was reportedly given by a doctor whose daughters later said it was a favor to Trump’s father. This makes it a “story” in the sense that it raises questions about privilege and influence.
Joe Biden: Received five deferments — all for education while in college and law school — and then a medical deferment for asthma. Biden’s medical deferment is less frequently questioned because asthma is a documented, chronic condition and he had mentioned it in earlier contexts.
2. How the candidates themselves talk about it
Trump has made strong public statements about military service, criticizing others for avoiding it, which invites scrutiny of his own record.
Biden rarely criticizes others over military service in the same way, so the press hasn’t had the same “hypocrisy” angle to latch onto.
3. The political and narrative fit
Trump’s deferment story fits into broader media narratives about him benefiting from family wealth and privilege.
Biden’s deferments, while similar in count, don’t align as neatly with a “special treatment” or “hypocrisy” storyline in most reporters’ eyes.
4. Historical context
During the Vietnam era, student deferments were very common; millions of men received them. Medical deferments were also common, but ones perceived as questionable — especially when the person later downplays the war or criticizes others — tend to draw more attention.
If you strip away the political spin, both men had multiple deferments and avoided Vietnam, but Trump’s deferments — especially the bone spur one — have been treated as a richer “investigative” and “character” story for journalists.
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