US president Donald Trump on Monday brushed aside reports of deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after more than 250 days at sea, calling the criticism “fake news”. He later sharply rebuked a CNN reporter during a tense Oval Office exchange.Trump defended the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as “beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of”, saying a retired admiral he spoke to over the weekend had reassured him about conditions aboard the vessel. The remarks came during an Oval Office media interaction, when the reporter attempted to ask Trump a follow-up question regarding North Korea and whether Kim Jong Un had requested a reduction in joint US–South Korea military exercises. Trump told CNN reporter Kristen Holmes to “be quiet” and called her a “fake reporter” after she questioned him. “The Lincoln has been out there for a period of time – a good period of time – but over the years, we’ve had them out there much longer,” Trump said, describing his conversation with the veteran.The US president, however, did not name the admiral or identify the “other people” he said had corroborated the account.The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier left San Diego on November 21, 2025, and has remained at sea for more than 250 days, according to reports. Its deployment has drawn scrutiny over conditions faced by American sailors during the extended period without a port call.According to AP, the US Navy said it had “not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts aboard the ship”, but officials declined to provide supporting data, citing operational security and patient privacy concerns. A Navy official also said a sailor went overboard in early August but was quickly recovered, treated by the ship’s medical department and transferred off the vessel for further care. The official did not say whether the incident was being considered a suicide attempt.
Trump clashes with CNN reporter
The exchange came during an Oval Office event at which Trump hosted 16-year-old Indian-origin lifeguard Ryder Williams, who gained attention after rescuing a child from strong waves.CNN reporter Kristen Holmes questioned Trump on several issues, including his relationship with White House aide Natalie Harp. Trump objected to the line of questioning and later confronted Holmes when she asked another question about North Korea.“You’re a loud, boisterous person, you’re fake news, be quiet,” Trump told Holmes.“You’re very disrespectful in front of this young man. Don’t you find her disrespectful? He understands,” Trump said, referring to the young people present.When Holmes identified herself as being with CNN, Trump replied, “Fake News. You’re fake news. You’re a loud, boisterous person. You’re fake news. Be quiet!… You’re a fake reporter and you report fake news!”Later, the White House’s Rapid Response account also criticised Holmes on X after she asked Trump about Harp during the event.“@POTUS hosts a hero lifeguard in the Oval Office and she uses it as an opportunity to take a cheap shot about one of President Trump’s staffers,” the account said, adding, “These scumbags are the lowest of the low.”CNN defended Holmes after Trump’s remarks, saying she had been doing her job by asking a question on behalf of the public.“Kristen Holmes is one of the most respected and accomplished journalists covering the White House,” CNN said in a statement on X.“This afternoon, she did her job and asked the President of the United States a tough, relevant, and newsworthy question on behalf of the American people,” it added.“Public officials are free to challenge reporting they disagree with, but personal attacks on journalists for asking questions are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press. We stand firmly behind Kristen and reject these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” CNN said.Trump also reposted a video of the exchange shared by the Trump 47 White House’s Rapid Response account on Truth Social.
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