At a White House press conference Monday, Trump claimed he had third-hand reports that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is “beautifully maintained” despite reports of deteriorating living conditions, lack of food, and a severe health crisis.
The Lincoln has now set a modern record for the longest time at sea without a port call. It has been more than 250 days since it has been to port.
When asked about the situation, Trump brushed it off, saying the sailors’ lengthy deployment ‘hadn’t been nearly enough.’
At the White House on Monday, Trump claimed it was a ‘CNN fake news’ report and berated a CNN reporter, telling her angrily to “be quiet.”
Meanwhile, military families are furious. Said one naval family member:
“I grew up in a United States where you have to be very respectful of the military, as they’re making the ultimate sacrifice and protecting their country, and now you have the commander-in-chief and defense secretary dismissing their experiences and calling them liars,” said the sister of one Lincoln crew member, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution. “I’m really angry.”
Navy Times and Stars and Stripes – the latter notably under increased control of the Pentagon as a defense publication – have also largely confirmed reports of the Lincoln’s conditions.
The publications described shortages of supplies and water and plumbing problems. Several sailors have attempted to leap from the ship according to their reports, prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon.