Trump Denies Crew Concerns Aboard Aircraft Carrier

US President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed public concerns about the mental state of the crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which is currently deployed in the Middle East in preparation for war with Iran. Trump said a rotation of ships in the region would take place soon, according to AFP.

When reporters asked whether family members were concerned about the situation on the carrier, Trump replied: "No, they're not." He also rejected claims that the ship had been deployed for too long, noting that it had been at sea for nine months. Trump confirmed that the Abraham Lincoln would be relieved by another aircraft carrier as the United States continues its conflict with Iran over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and Tehran's nuclear program. "That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship", Trump explained.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also denied reports of poor conditions aboard the carrier. "We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment", the secretary said, praising the sailors' work, particularly during their extended deployments. US media outlets, including specialized military magazines, have quoted several relatives of crew members who claim that conditions aboard the ship have deteriorated. Some reports indicate that there have already been several attempts to jump overboard. Democratic Party politicians are calling for an investigation into the situation.

The Abraham Lincoln sailed from California in November 2025 to the South China Sea and later moved to the Middle East before the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on 28 February. Deployments typically last six to nine months but can be extended in the event of war. Reuters notes that such a long deployment can put significant strain on the crew's mental health, especially during times of conflict.

(tasr, afp, reuters)