Earlier this year you might remember that the talking point going around was that the Defense Department under Pete Hegseth was spending too much money on quality chow for servicemembers:
We’re supposed to be mad about U.S. service members on extended deployments getting some surf & turf. https://t.co/V9Xu1kbcF0
— Jerry Dunleavy IV 🇺🇸 (@JerryDunleavy) March 10, 2026
A pivot has taken place and now the narrative coming from the media and the Democrats many "journalists" serve is quite different this week.
Out: Trump and Hegseth are treating servicemembers too well.
In: Trump and Hegseth have created horrible conditions for those serving overseas:
Multiple U.S. sailors have reportedly tried to jump overboard the USS Abraham Lincoln amid poor conditions as the Iran war extends their deployment. Natalie Oliverio from The Military Times spoke with one of the sailor’s wives: “She is extremely worried and concerned about how… pic.twitter.com/cNy5qQ6sgO
— Erin Burnett OutFront (@OutFrontCNN) August 13, 2026
The original story was published in The Military Times, which is a news organization independent from the U.S. military.
The U.S. Central Command has responded to some of the claims that have been made which are now making the media rounds:
🚫 CLAIM: Over the past 48 hours, multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East. One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a… pic.twitter.com/U1Hg6l1pjN
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 13, 2026
Recommended
Here's the full post:
CLAIM: Over the past 48 hours, multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East. One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a spike in suicidal ideations. These reports are FALSE.
FACT: USS Abraham Lincoln has maintained among the highest crew reenlistment rates (84.4%) of all aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy. The Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea, 10,000 aircraft flights, and 1.5 million pounds of ordnance expended. No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln's historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones.
The TDS media will pick up and run with any claim if they think it makes Trump and Hegseth look bad. So, as usual, a healthy dose of skepticism is always warranted.
Just proves the fake news pushing out midterm election garbage to hurt our military once again. No military family would go to the media to let the enemy know we have soldiers ready to commit suicide. WTF 🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/f7LwRbO1Qs
— Cali Ann (@CallieRealTalk) August 14, 2026
People are getting their info from Iran. pic.twitter.com/GHh5HwLXjI
— MaryLouWestin (@LouWestin) August 14, 2026
Democrats are spreading Iranian regime propaganda? Unfortunately, we're not shocked.
Continued prayers for our servicemembers deployed overseas.
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