Former Minnesota Governor Dismisses Barron's 'Excuse' To Avoid Military; Calls Trump ‘Draft-Dodging Coward’

Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has called on Barron Trump to enlist in the U.S. military amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Ventura also took a jibe at Barron's medical excuse for not joining the armed forces.

On the March 24 episode of the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, Ventura, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Navy SEAL, called out Trump's family for not serving in the military "in the last 100 years." He labeled President Donald Trump a "draft-dodging coward" and slammed his decision to start a war against Iran when he is not willing to send his own children to the frontlines.

"There's a simple thing as a leader, and you know this having been in the military — Trump wouldn't know it cause he's a draft-dodging coward… A war is justified if you're willing to send your kids. Because how can you send somebody else's kids to a war if you won't send your own?" Ventura said.

"So I'm calling right now for Barron Trump, Donald Trump's son, cause after all, he's had three wives, he's got kids by each wife, and nobody's ever served in the military. To my knowledge, a Trump in the last 100 years has never done military service," he added.

Trump attended the New York Military Academy; however, he did not serve in the armed forces. According to Military.com, many reports have claimed that Trump received four student deferments during the Vietnam War, excluding him from the draft. He reportedly also received a medical deferment for alleged bone spurs in his feet, allowing him to avoid being on active duty.

Atlanta Black Star reports that the president's grandfather, Frederick, and his father, Fred, reportedly dodged serving in the armed forces during conflicts in their lifetimes as well.

Ventura underscored his stance, adding, "Barron, you can change that. Enlist in the United States military right now. Do something your father didn't have the courage to do. Do something your father didn't have the patriotism to do. I wanna see a Trump in the military."

Ever since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began in late February, many people have filed and signed online petitions calling for Trump's youngest son, Barron, 20, to actively join the conflict by enlisting in the armed forces.

This comes as Trump casually warned about more U.S. casualties and service members being "likely" to lose their lives in the ongoing war. The Guardian reported last week that so far, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and more than 200 were injured.

Ventura, 74, and a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer, dismissed Barron being "too tall" to join the military. "I heard the excuse that Barron might be too tall," Ventura said, citing the example of David Robinson, who "served on active duty. He was 7 feet tall before he ever went to the San Antonio Spurs basketball team."

Estimated to be around 6 feet 9 inches tall, Barron is the tallest among his siblings, but his height alone would not necessarily prevent him from serving in the military.

Ventura's statements calling out the Trumps quickly went viral on social media platforms, sparking reactions from netizens. "Holy smokes! Jesse Ventura DESTROYS Donald Trump. Calls him a "draft dodger" and demands that Barron Trump enlist in daddy's war with Iran," wrote one person.

Another person claimed that Trump uses his children as "shields." "That orange coward would use his children as a shield. He doesn't give a [expletive] about his kids any more than he does anyone else's," the user wrote. Another user remarked, "Jesse Ventura is absolutely right. When he sends his kids then he will get respect. He can't play checkers blindly with someone else's kids."

In 2024, Barron joined New York University's Stern School of Business. He is currently a student at the school's Washington, D.C., campus near the White House.