Trump admin says there were 8 suicide attempts on US aircraft carrier

The Trump administration has confirmed eight attempted suicides among US personnel serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East, according to a letter obtained by AFP. This revelation came in response to a query from Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand regarding the living and mental health conditions on board the vessel. The letter, sent by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao to the senator, detailed the incidents without mentioning any completed suicides.

The Lincoln, which had been in service since November of the previous year, embarked on its deployment in November 2025, initially heading to the South China Sea before being redirected to the Middle East following Israeli strikes on Iran in late February 2026. After a 286-day journey, the carrier briefly docked in Thailand in early September. During this period, concerns over deteriorating living conditions, mental health issues, food shortages, and poor hygiene surfaced among military families and lawmakers.

However, these claims were initially dismissed by then-President Donald Trump, who was later supported by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who denied the situation was misrepresented. The letter from Cao addressed the concerns, providing details on the eight suicide attempts and the subsequent recoveries of those involved.