Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Trump dismisses USS Lincoln food shortage reports as 'fake news'
There is a very big ship called the USS Abraham Lincoln that carries airplanes and many sailors.
Some news reporters said the people on the ship did not have enough food and that the ship was not in good shape.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said those reports were not true.
He called them 'fake news,' which means he thinks the stories are made up.
He said the ship is 'beautifully maintained,' which means it is kept very clean and in good condition.
The president said he heard this from a retired admiral, a very important Navy leader.
The ship has been in a place called the Strait of Hormuz for more than 250 days, which is a very long time.
The president also told a reporter from CNN to 'be quiet' when she asked about the reports.
Some people believe the reports are true, while the president says they are not.
President Donald Trump dismissed reports of food shortages and deteriorating living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as 'fake news'.
Trump claimed the aircraft carrier is 'beautifully maintained,' citing third-hand information from an unnamed retired admiral.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has been deployed in the Strait of Hormuz for more than 250 days.
Trump criticized CNN reporter Kristen Holmes and told her to 'be quiet' during the exchange at the White House.
Trump said the Lincoln has been out for 'a good period of time' but noted carriers have been deployed much longer in past years.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, CNN reporter Kristen Holmes, and the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln.
- What
- Trump dismissed reports of food shortages and poor living conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as 'fake news' and defended the carrier's condition.
- When
- Monday, August 17.
- Where
- The White House; the USS Abraham Lincoln is deployed in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Trump sought to counter media reports about the carrier's conditions, citing a retired admiral's third-hand account that the ship is well maintained.
CNN and critics
President Trump
Conditions aboard the USS Lincoln
CNN and critics
Reports indicate food shortages and deteriorating living conditions aboard the carrier.
President Trump
The carrier is 'beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of'; the reports are 'fake news.'
Credibility of the reporting
CNN and critics
CNN reporter Kristen Holmes raised the reports as legitimate news coverage.
President Trump
Trump accused CNN of 'fake news reporting' and told Holmes to 'be quiet.'
- President
- Donald Trump
- Vessel
- USS Abraham Lincoln (aircraft carrier)
- Deployment location
- Strait of Hormuz
- Deployment duration
- More than 250 days
- Date of remarks
- Monday, August 17
- Reporter criticized
- Kristen Holmes (CNN)
- Trump's characterization
- 'Fake news'
- Source cited by Trump
- Unnamed retired admiral (third-hand information)