Trump shrugs off concerns about dismal conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln
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President Trump walks to board Air Force One in Maryland. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Trump said Friday that he isn't concerned about the state of the USS Abraham Lincoln, despite calls from lawmakers to investigate reports of mental health issues for those onboard.
Why it matters: The San Diego-based aircraft carrier has been deployed for nine months, and numerous reports have indicated that crew members' families were concerned about a lack of food and other basic supplies.
What they're saying: Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump said he didn't think the ship had been deployed "nearly long enough."
- He also disputed that the family members of the crew were concerned about their well-being, and pointed toward the USS George Washington coming to relieve the Lincoln from its Middle East deployment.
- While taking questions from the press Friday, a reporter mentioned families were concerned, to which Trump replied "no they're not."
Zoom out: Military publications The Navy Times, The Military Times, and Stars and Stripes were among the first to report on conditions aboard the carrier, including that several crew members had attempted to jump overboard.
- The ship hasn't made a port call in at least 200 days. Generally, those occur every 30 to 45 days unless operational demands interrupt plans.
- Family members of those aboard told The Military Times that the crew lacks basic items like hygiene products and faces other quality-of-life issues, including inadequate air conditioning and contaminated water.
- Low morale and exhaustion are also rampant among the crew, several families said.
What they're saying: In a statement, the Navy denied it had "observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard" the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- "We take every service member's well-being seriously and have religious, medical and mental health professionals available to assess and address concerns as they arise," the statement said.
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also called the conditions on the carrier "completely misrepresented," telling Newsmax that the Department of Defense makes sure that ships have "everything we can provide them at every single moment."
- "Some deployments are longer than others, and I have more respect and gratitude for those sailors than anybody. What they do in those high seas and those austere conditions with less port calls, it's incredible," he said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information throughout.
