Trump dismisses USS Lincoln criticism and snaps at CNN reporter to ‘be quiet’
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump defended the USS Abraham Lincoln's condition, citing an unnamed retired admiral's third-hand reports that the ship is "beautifully maintained," despite widespread accounts of deteriorating living conditions during its extended deployment.
- Trump accused CNN of "fake news" for reporting on the ship’s poor conditions, but did not identify the other sources he claimed corroborated the admiral's account.
- The USS Abraham Lincoln has been at sea for over 250 days, setting a modern record for longest deployment without a port call, amid reports of supply shortages, plumbing issues, and mental health crises among sailors.
- Media outlets like Navy Times and Stars and Stripes have confirmed these reports, and several sailors reportedly attempted to jump from the ship, prompting Democratic lawmakers to seek answers from the Pentagon.
- Naval families have expressed anger and frustration over the dismissal of their concerns by Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, criticizing the leadership for disregarding the physical and mental hardships faced by deployed service members.
