Trump Mocked for Sharing Old Military School Photo

Former president faces backlash for 'stolen valor' claims amid ongoing Iran conflict

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:48pm

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Former President Donald Trump drew widespread mockery and criticism after sharing an old photo of himself in military school uniform on social media, with many accusing him of 'stolen valor' and attempting to portray himself as a veteran despite never serving in the U.S. military.

Why it matters

Trump's post comes as U.S. troops are engaged in an ongoing conflict with Iran, which Trump ordered, raising questions about his respect for military service and his own avoidance of the draft during the Vietnam War era.

The details

Trump attended the New York Military Academy as a teenager after his father sent him there due to behavioral issues, including reportedly pushing around and bullying other students. While Trump appeared to enjoy the strict rules and pageantry of military school, he never actually served in the U.S. armed forces, receiving four draft deferments and a medical waiver to avoid the Vietnam War.

  • Trump posted the photo on his Truth Social account on March 13, 2026.
  • Trump attended the New York Military Academy as a 13-year-old in the early 1960s.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president who attended the New York Military Academy as a teenager but never served in the U.S. military.

Fred Trump

Donald Trump's father, who sent him to the military academy due to his behavioral problems.

Marc Fisher

A Trump biographer who said the former president 'yelled at his classmates' and 'pushed them around' while at the military academy.

Sandy McIntosh

A former classmate of Trump's at the military academy who said there was a 'culture of you beat on kids when they didn't do the right thing.'

Harry Falber

Another former classmate of Trump's who said students 'got hit' and 'may have gotten slammed against the wall' at the military academy.

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What they’re saying

“Hahahhahahahaha toy soldier really hopes you think the military academy is the military! It ain't lol”

— Adam Kinzinger, Former GOP congressman and combat veteran

“The most pathetic thing you'll see today. Here's President Bone Spurs trying to pretend he went to one of the military academies. I've no doubt millions of his followers will believe it.”

— Heather Digby Parton, Columnist, Salon

“Nothing says immoral treasonous scumbag quite like the orange felon posting his sh*tty military academy pictures on social media whilst being a 5x draft dodger who is currently killing actual members of the military with a war that he started.”

— Ricky Davila, Singer

What’s next

The backlash over Trump's post is likely to continue, with many calling out his attempts to portray himself as a military man despite avoiding service during the Vietnam War.

The takeaway

Trump's post is seen by many as a desperate attempt to claim a military connection he never had, further undermining his credibility and respect for the armed forces at a time when U.S. troops are engaged in combat under his orders.