President Donald Trump addressed concerns regarding the extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, labeling reports from the White House press corps as misleading. During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "That was a CNN fake report," and emphasized that the ship has been deployed for a significant period, but historically, deployments have lasted longer.
Trump mentioned a conversation with an admiral who claimed to have served on ships for longer durations than the Lincoln's current deployment, asserting that the ship is well maintained. He quoted the admiral saying, "I know people on the Lincoln. They say it’s beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of."
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been stationed in the Middle East for over 260 days, setting a modern Navy record for the longest continuous deployment without a port visit. Family members of sailors aboard the ship have expressed concerns regarding conditions on board. When asked if the deployment duration was excessive, Trump responded, "No, not nearly long enough."
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao confirmed that the Lincoln's deployment was extended due to mission requirements and acknowledged the challenges faced by sailors during long deployments. Cao stated, "Combat operations make them harder. War is hell and normal routines are disrupted."
While Cao criticized the media for dishonest reporting, he also acknowledged that some reports were accurate. He noted that family members of sailors met with Navy leadership this month, as 5,000 sailors have remained aboard the USS Lincoln since its deployment on November 21, 2025, which was originally scheduled to conclude in May. Cao added that calls home were limited due to operational threats and that a small number of mental health cases were treated without any loss of life.