We Can’t Believe a Navy Mom Said This About the Sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln

The other day, the Left tried to raise the alarm over “dire” conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln, in a transparent attempt to undermine our military and its efforts in Iran. The media, of course, are all too happy to assist with this.

Much in the same way CNN dragged out the estranged brother of Trump aide Natalie Harp to not-too-subtly imply an inappropriate relationship between Harp and the President, the New York Times spoke to the mother of one of the sailors. The woman, identified as Erika Vandermeer, had the audacity to say — and the NYT the foolishness to publish — her ridiculous statement about what sailors on the USS Abraham committed to when they joined the Navy.

“They didn’t sign up to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean.”

From a New York Times video about the suffering among sailors deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The caption, in case it’s too small to read, says, “They didn’t sign up to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean.” pic.twitter.com/p28FmV1NqP

— Chris Bray (@a_chrisbray) August 20, 2026

Yes, actually, they did.

This writer’s late father served on the USS Yellowstone during the Vietnam War. After he passed, she went through his things and read letters he’d to his family back home during his service. He missed them, but always had pride in the job. He was stationed far from home and that’s what he signed up for.

I’m glad my Dad, who served in the USN, isn’t alive to see this🤦🏻‍♀️

— Lisa (@politeracy) August 20, 2026

This writer agrees.

See it for yourself. It’s like watching some bizarre sequel to Waiting for Guffman:https://t.co/9UTMMDlUEg

— Chris Bray (@a_chrisbray) August 20, 2026

But “Waiting for Guffman” was actually funny.

> “They didn’t sign up to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean.” https://t.co/2URdTm7Zdv pic.twitter.com/uaVJKDnQiY

— travis4nh (@travis4nh) August 20, 2026

There really are no words.

I’m sorry ma’am, what exactly did they sign up for? https://t.co/BBxIDWZfNj

— Fusilli Spock (@awstar11) August 20, 2026

Does she not know what the Navy is meant to do?

I’m not an expert in these matters, but isn’t being on a ship in the middle of the ocean kind of what being in the Navy is all about? https://t.co/Ty5bIZwD3q

— Oscar Von Reuenthal (@OscarVReuenthal) August 20, 2026

It is.

This is parody. It has to be. https://t.co/EwhFos6qLc

— Cyborg Pediatrician (@CyborgPeds) August 20, 2026

It is not. How we wish it was.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America’s military.

Help us continue to report on Trump and Hegseth’s successes as they make our military great again. Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.