President Donald Trump has coldly weighed in on the ballooning uproar over a U.S. aircraft carrier on a record-breaking deployment in the Middle East since last November.
The president brushed off concerns about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, shockingly telling a reporter the deployment hasn’t lasted “nearly long enough.”
Family members of sailors aboard the Lincoln have gone public in recent days about the deteriorating conditions and mental health challenges personnel on the ship are facing.
Trump Reacts to Stranded Sailors
In fact, news reports surfaced on Thursday of a sailor who had jumped off the ship earlier this month. The Pentagon confirmed it, announcing the sailor was rescued and taken for treatment, while also acknowledging the incident as a mental health episode.
A day later, on Friday, as Trump prepared to board Air Force One, a reporter questioned the president about it. She told him U.S. service members are concerned about the conditions aboard the ship.
“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.
“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 as enraged commenters lambasted Trump and his lack of empathy for the very people tasked with prosecuting his war on 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,” a Threads poster declared.
Another suggested, “Somebody throw his a– in a catering crate and get him to that ship for the duration ASAP. Send Pete, too.”
This poster and others agreed, remarking, “Send his a– out there and see how he likes it,” “What an evil f-cking imbecile,” and “He’s never cared about our soldiers.”
Commenter Vanessa Jasmine summed up all the concerns in four words: “Impeachment is a must.”
Defense Chief Pete Hegseth also brushed off families’ concerns during a press conference on Thursday, telling reporters they have “completely misrepresented” the problems onboard the ship.
But soon after, the Pentagon seemed to bow to military leaders who voiced concerns about low morale and mounting fatigue among the sailors on the Lincoln, according to NBC News.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that it’s sending the USS George Washington to replace the Lincoln.
The Lincoln has been stationed in the Persian Gulf as Trump’s ongoing and unapproved war against Iran rages well into its sixth month with no end in sight.
The ship left San Diego late in November and has been deployed for more than 250 days, the longest deployment for a U.S. aircraft carrier in modern history.
