President Donald Trump weighed in on the growing uproar surrounding a U.S. aircraft carrier that has been on a record-breaking deployment in the Middle East since last November, and his response came across as notably detached.
He brushed aside concerns about the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, telling a reporter, with startling bluntness, that the deployment has not lasted “nearly long enough.”
Relatives of sailors aboard the Lincoln have recently spoken publicly about worsening living conditions and the mental health challenges facing crew members on the ship.
‘Cowardly Bastard’: Marco Rubio Flashes a Fake Smile, Bolts When Reporter Asks About Trump’s Decoy Jet, Then Stephen Miller Pulls the Same Stunt
Trump Responds to Stranded Sailors
In fact, reports emerged on Thursday of a sailor who had jumped off the ship earlier this month. The Pentagon confirmed the incident, saying the sailor was rescued and treated, and noting that it was a mental health episode.
A day later, on Friday, as Trump prepared to board Air Force One, a reporter asked the president about it. She conveyed that U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions aboard the Lincoln.
“Well, that ship is moving. No, they’re not,” Trump replied.
“That ship is moving right now or very shortly and is being replaced with another very similar ship,” Trump insisted, but the reporter pressed him further.
View on Threads
“Has it gone on too long? Are you worried?” the reporter tried to ask, but Trump cut her off.
“No, no, no,” he said in dismissing her before stunningly adding, “Not nearly long enough.”
Trump Sparks Outrage
Social media erupted in fury as critics denounced Trump for what they perceived as a lack of empathy toward the very people tasked with carrying out his campaign against Iran.
“This soundbite alone should end it for him and military family support should go to zero. But with President Douchebag here, we call it Friday,” one Threads user proclaimed.
Another suggested, “Somebody should haul his ass into a catering crate and ship him out to that vessel for the duration ASAP. Bring Pete along as well.”
That poster and others agreed, remarking, “Send his ass out there and see how he likes it,” “What an evil fucking imbecile,” and “He’s never cared about our soldiers.”
Commenter Vanessa Jasmine summed up the concern in four words: “Impeachment is a must.”
Defense Chief Pete Hegseth also brushed aside the families’ concerns during a Thursday press conference, telling reporters they have “completely misrepresented” the problems aboard the ship.
But soon after, the Pentagon appeared to bow to military leaders who voiced worries about low morale and mounting fatigue among the sailors on the Lincoln, NBC News reported.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it would send the USS George Washington to replace the Lincoln.
The Lincoln has remained stationed in the Persian Gulf as Trump’s ongoing and unapproved confrontation with Iran rages into its sixth month with no end in sight.
The ship departed San Diego late in November and has been deployed for more than 250 days, the longest deployment by a U.S. aircraft carrier in modern history.
