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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrew Feinberg

Trump says deployment aboard USS Lincoln has not gone on ‘nearly long enough’

  • President Donald Trump on Friday angrily snapped back at reporters who asked him to weigh in on reports that morale aboard USS Abraham Lincoln is so poor that some sailors have attempted to jump overboard to escape the ship after nine months at sea.
  • “No, they’re not,” he said. “That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship,” he added.
  • The reporter followed up by asking if the president was worried the deployment had gone on too long. “No, no, no, not nearly long enough,” he answered before walking away.
  • Family members and reported text messages detailed deteriorating conditions on the aircraft carrier , including a lack of fresh food and sailors jumping overboard due to extreme distress.
  • Navy officials and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied claims of widespread mental health crises or supply failures, stating mission-critical supplies remain available. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended Trump's support for service members while criticizing former President Joe Biden's military policies.

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