USS Abraham Lincoln crew concerns dismissed by Trump

US President Donald Trump dismissed concerns on Friday about living conditions and mental health aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier deployed during the confrontation with Iran, and said the ship would soon be replaced by another carrier.

Asked whether family members were worried about the situation on the Abraham Lincoln, Trump said: “No, they're not.” Asked whether the carrier, now at sea for nine months, had been deployed too long, he said: “No, no, no, not nearly enough.”

Trump said the ship “is moving right now or very shortly” and would be replaced by “another very similar ship.” The United States remains in a stalemate with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program.

US media, including specialist military publications, have quoted relatives of crew members saying living conditions have deteriorated on the Abraham Lincoln and have reported several suicide attempts. Family accounts included claims that two sailors tried to jump overboard. The US military has said one sailor who fell into the sea on August 3 was recovered.

“A small number of mental health cases were treated with no loss of life,” acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in a statement. Cao blamed the media for “trying to paint our warriors as victims” and said: “The Lincoln was extended because the mission demanded it.”

Democratic lawmakers are calling for an investigation.

The nuclear-powered carrier left California in November 2025 for duty in the South China Sea and was rerouted to the Middle East before US-Israeli attacks on Iran began February 28.

Jonathan Schroden, chief research officer at the Center for Naval Analyses, told AFP that carrier strike groups are generally designed for six-month deployments for reasons including sailor welfare.

The ship has five chaplains, one psychologist, one social worker, a prevention coordinator and a dog named Captain Fathom to support crew morale and welfare.