Parents and spouses of service members risked disciplinary action against their loved ones to highlight to the US Navy Secretary and to the media the revolting conditions aboard the carrier, which has been at sea with no port of call for a record period of time.

Stories of broken toilets, filth, and mold everywhere were reported in the media last week. One troubling story in the Guardian claimed that multiple sailors aboard the Lincoln have attempted suicide due to the unbearable conditions aboard the carrier.

The Trump Administration's response speaks volumes about its claim to "support the troops." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth immediately brushed off concerns about conditions aboard the Abraham Lincoln as "fake news." He didn't utter a word of concern for the troops he so enjoys being photographed working out with. He didn't order a thorough review of the conditions on the ship. He didn't promise to get to the bottom of things. He didn't express any concern for the troops. He just said reports were "fake news."

President Trump responded to the allegations even more callously than Hegseth. When a reporter told him that family members are concerned about conditions aboard the Abraham Lincoln, President Trump said, "no they're not." When asked whether the carrier's record eight-month deployment was too long, he responded, "no no no, not nearly long enough."