Trump Calls Record-Breaking Nine-Month Carrier Deployment "Not Nearly Long Enough"

President Trump on August 14 dismissed concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln's nearly nine-month deployment — a record stretch tied to the US war against Iran — telling reporters it is "not nearly long enough" and that crew families were not worried. The carrier carries roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines. Defense Secretary Hegseth separately called conditions aboard "completely misrepresented." Multiple sailors have attempted to go overboard, and 200 family members raised mental health concerns at a San Diego town hall. The Navy says it has "not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts" but declined to release supporting data.