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Hi, all.
Apologies up front if I come across a little more, well, passionate, than usual. The fact is that the Trump regime’s continued attempts to deny our reporting (and the reporting by others) about the dire conditions not only aboard the USS Lincoln, but on carriers and bases across the region, are as low as it gets. And let me be absolutely clear: if the Trump regime thinks they will scare us away from reporting on this issue, or any issue, they don’t know who they are messing with.
We are getting these stories out thanks to your support and thanks to the work of our incredible reporters. I especially want to give a huge shoutout to Aaron Parnas, who has led the way with his reporting. We also want to thank others in the media for their reporting on this topic. We are glad to see this finally getting the attention it deserves.
Before I get into today’s recap, one simple way you can help is to share the stories about our service members. We recently published a few podcasts on the topic on the MeidasTouch Podcast audio feed. Please make sure you are subscribed, whether on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you find podcasts. Here’s our episode from this morning. Yes, it’s completely free. Share it with friends and family. Post it on social media. Help spread the truth.
Here are today’s top stories:
More heartbreaking reporting on conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, the USS George H.W. Bush, and the USS Boxer
The USS Benfold sat powerless for four days in the South China Sea with no toilets, no galley, and no air conditioning
Trump and Hegseth’s despicable comments about these reports
The Navy’s main Middle East logistics hub has effectively moved to Diego Garcia, 2,200 miles away, because Iran wrecked the bases in Bahrain and beyond
Another tanker struck in the Strait of Hormuz
The Houthis pounding Al Mokha port
Trump wants to rip out electromagnetic catapults and go back to steam, and wants Ford-class carriers redesigned to look like WWII battleships, despite the objections of experts
Trump calls the National Trust for Historic Preservation lawsuit treasonous and tells SCOTUS his golden ballroom is a security shield against Iranian missiles
Gas prices keep rising…Bessent says Americans are feeling great about it “in their hearts”
JD Vance wants to end the dollar’s reserve currency status
Trump’s failed Patriot Games event.
If you haven’t yet, consider becoming a paid subscriber now. You’ll not only get access to everything we do here on the Meidas+ Substack, but you’ll also be supporting independent media at a time when it’s needed most.
Let’s dive in.
The Crisis on U.S. Ships Is Getting Worse
Our own Aaron Parnas has been doing incredible work here, and I want to thank every family member who has trusted him with what’s happening to their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives. A mother shared with him that her son on the USS Boxer has been gone since March with no port calls, and that the mental health toll is real even though conditions are not as bad as the Lincoln. Women on the Boxer have reportedly run out of hygiene products because care packages aren’t getting through. A sailor on the Lincoln sent home a photo of a mess hall tray that he described as everything mixed today, beans that tasted terrible, even with every seasoning possible added. Family members of sailors aboard the USS George H.W. Bush say they’ve had barely any food, water, or soap after 136 days at sea. One father says his son has lost significant weight and is having mental health issues due to the conditions. His 9-year-old keeps asking if his dad will ever make it back.
The more we dig in, the worse this looks. What we’re learning is this isn’t isolated to the carriers people are talking about. The USS Benfold, a destroyer operating with the USS George Washington strike group in the South China Sea, suffered a total power failure on July 24 that lasted 4 days. USNI News confirmed sailors were without galley services, toilets, air conditioning, and largely without potable water. The Navy refused to say how the crew handled waste. The George Washington had to help feed them.
That’s the same George Washington, by the way, that’s now been pulled out of the Pacific entirely to help cover for Trump’s disaster in the Middle East. That was our last carrier in the region, so we’ve essentially abandoned our Pacific posture because of Trump’s logistical failures.
The Trump Regime’s Response Should Enrage
Everyone
If you thought Trump had already reached rock bottom—well, you know better than that—think again. I don’t want to let Trump’s comments from yesterday slide. When he was asked about service members’ families concerns about the conditions aboard the Lincoln, Trump told the press the families aren’t actually concerned. When asked if the deployment has gone on too long, he said not nearly long enough. Pete Hegseth took direct aim at the reporting by us and others, saying that reports of the conditions are being “completely misrepresented” by the “reckless and shameless ‘American’ media.” He put “American” in quotes. Who to believe: the dozen families our reporters have talked to who have loved ones on these ships, or Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth? And to imply it’s un-American to report on these conditions? How dare you. It’s un-American to treat our service members as if they are worthless pieces of trash and accuse their families of being liars.
To add, the Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao posted about the Lincoln, declaring “mission accomplished” while saying “war is hell” (thought they said this wasn't a war?) and claiming the USS Abraham Lincoln’s grueling extended deployment was all part of a “planned rotation.” Cao added: “Deployments are hard.” “Normal routines are disrupted.” “Uncertainty will always be in play.” That’s how Trump’s Navy Secretary is brushing off what sailors have actually been enduring.
The Navy Is Running Supply Lines From 2,200
Miles Away
Iran’s earlier strikes on the US naval base in Bahrain, plus follow-up strikes on bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, and the UAE, have crippled our logistics hubs across the region, per the NYT. So now the Navy is resupplying all the way from Diego Garcia, a British territory about 2,200 miles from where our carriers are actually operating. That’s a big reason why the sailors on the Lincoln have gone without proper food, mail, basic supplies, etc, for months. Iran took out our mini logistics hubs, and our ships have been paying the price ever since.
More Strikes
UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. All signs, as of now, point to the Al Wata, a US-flagged cargo ship tracked entering the strait. Adnoc (the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) says one of its vessels was hit again, marking the second attack on an Adnoc ship in the strait in 2 days. By some counts, roughly 20 Adnoc tankers have been struck in this stretch. That’s as the Houthis are still hammering Al Mokha port, which remains under Saudi-backed control. Plus drone strikes on Saudi-backed forces on Mayyun Island and on an Aramco facility.
Trump Is Taking His Design “Expertise” to Our
Carriers
Since he’s done such a great job on the Reflecting Pool, the Kennedy Center, the East Wing of the White House/Ballroom, and more, Trump is now taking his talents to our aircraft carriers. Trump signed a national security memorandum ordering the Navy to tear out the electromagnetic launch system on the Ford-class carriers and go back to steam catapults, something he’s apparently wanted to do since telling TIME back in 2017 that he told the Navy to go back to “goddamn steam.” General Atomics, which builds the current launch systems and is nearly halfway through building them for a new carrier, says reverting now would introduce massive cost, schedule, and integration risk. It could also hand adversaries an opening to close the capability gap. The Navy is also now studying moving the carriers’ command island further forward so the whole ship resembles a World War II battleship, because Trump likes the way those looked. This is separate from the so-called Trump-class battleships he wants to build from scratch.
Trump Continues to Melt Down Over the
Ballroom
Speaking of Trump’s bloated vanity projects, Trump filed an emergency motion to the Supreme Court asking them to allow him to continue building it for national security reasons. In a Truth Social post, he called the National Trust for Historic Preservation (the group that sued to stop it) treasonous, accusing them of revealing top-secret military secrets. Trump claims the ballroom is necessary to protect him from Iranian missiles and assassination attempts. And yes, he put that in the court filing. Just to be clear, the judge, despite blocking the ballroom, did allow the construction of the underground national security elements to continue. Trump meanwhile kept posting like 20 something AI-generated images of himself walking through the gilded ballroom next to an AI George Washington.
A Few Final Notes
A few quick things before I go.
Gas prices are now the highest they’ve ever been for the month of August in U.S. history. What’s the Trump regime’s spin? Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says “in their hearts,” Americans actually feel good about it.
JD Vance’s comments about the US dollar are going viral. A clip of him saying he thinks the US dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency should be over is going viral. Vance said that he thinks currently, it allows Americans to consume goods too cheaply. Good luck on the 2028 campaign, JD!
Then there’s Trump’s Patriot Games, which you probably haven’t heard much about because the whole event was a dud.
That’s it for now. Enjoy your Saturday. And please tell me if you’ve preordered our book, WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy. Preorders are a huge deal, so if you want to grab a copy, consider getting yours today (it’s available in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook).
Thanks again and see you soon! Shoutout to the Meidas Mighty!
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Exactly, AGREED! Any one above 7rh grade, realizes that poor leadership and warplan ( both conditions together) loses everytime!
Like when coach keeps calling wrong plays out to the team!
Plain & simple, common sense!
Hey DL., drawn and quartered, waterboarded, guillotine?
I really appreciate your afternoon updates, Ben!
Trump could not care less about the American people, and these service members are no different.
Why does djt need to lose...?
Trump and Hegseth are two very cruel and evil men. I am waiting for one timely obituary so the other can face his crimes against humanity
Yes they are!
They’re both also incompetent, idiotic, tyrannical fools.
Incompetent + idiotic + cruel + evil + tyrannic = BIGLY BAD AND EXCEEDINGLY DANGEROUS RESULTS!
I'd rather see Trump struck down by a paralyzing stroke. I really don't care how Hegseth dies, but I hope that he suffers an agonizing death.
I'd rather see Trump struck down by a paralyzing stroke. I really don't care how Hegseth dies, but I hope that he suffers an agonizing death.
Ben, keep speaking the truth about this evil regime so the entire country knows the facts. You do America a great service keeping everyone informed and you are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
According to Tousi, Iran will attack Syria, expanding the war. He also reports that Iran alleges it has "dirty bombs" ready to go.
Can’t anyone say no? There has got to be a point where even these generals and admirals have to say enough! ENOUGH!!! NO MORE! Felon is giving illegal orders to stay the course, don’t take care of your troops. What’s wrong with these people? JUST SAY NO MORE! The Lincoln shouldn’t wait around to be relieved before it can start back to the United States. The admiral, who should lose his job anyway, should make the determination to come home and get out of the Middle East. The rest of the ships should also come home and show some resistance to these jerks who don’t know what they’re talking about. Time to think of the troops! (imho)
Hegseth fired most of the people who would push back. We're left with Trump loyalists.
That's what I'd like to know. It's time for the generals, etc., to just tell Dictator Don off. The Dingbat Mentally Ill Psycho is taking us back to the days when slaves were treated this way. Disgusting. Time for him and his gestapo/communists to go. Prison--REAL prison--is where they all belong. THEY need to live under those conditions.
ripe for a mutiny. then what, Pete?
I have no idea why a mutiny has not happened already! How much longer can our military put up with this corrupt and evil MAGA cult?
Bingo, Patti............
First of all, Scott Bessent is an unmitigated jerk living in his billionaire world. Second, when you fire all your military experts, this is what happens when you have to resupply the troops. And the base in Bahrain wouldn’t have been destroyed if this stupid war wasn’t started. And we’re trying to resupply ships from a tiny island 2200 miles away. This is a cluster of epic proportions
It's Saturday, so let's all try to stay strong. MTN's keeping us updated on what's happening in this crazy world, basically, what Dt and his regime are causing in today's world
I saw a clip of a mother of a sailor on the Lincoln aircraft carrier who was defending trump and admitted she voted for him. What is wrong with these people? I’m distraught over the actions of this administration, and trumpers don’t seem to understand where we’re headed. He’s bankrupting this country both financially and morally.
Stupidity follows stupid! Power does not so much corrupt, as it reveals. The vile and despicable vermin, t-RUMP, has ALWAYS been a filthy, scurrying nasty fat rat grabbing whatever he wants and securing it for himself. His days are numbered. I predict that he will never fulfill a four-year term. As for his supporters who cling to his long rat tail - their day of reckoning will come when he falls. We must all just hang in there because like all nasty rats he will not live forever.
Yeah, I don't want to buy ANYTHING at a cheaper price. I sure don't want to be accused of buying goods "too cheaply". After all, just because most of us are struggling financially in some way, well, in the end it must be all in our heads, right? Scott Bessent can apparently read his fellow American's thoughts as he claims we "feel good inside" about the price of gas. I guess both Vance and Bessent take this week's prize for the most tone-deaf, stupid comments by members of Trump's cabinet. Of course, his lawyer, oops, I mean the Attorney General Blanche, is always out front, right up there with Trump, competing with incredibly ignorant and criminal comments most days. Clearly, they have LOTS of company.
Jennifer writes: "Scott Bessent can apparently read his fellow American's thoughts as he claims we "feel good inside"" George Orwell's 1984 Thought Police could intercept thoughts, but this a-hole can transcribe them them too! When he's finally out of a job he can go on the nightclub circuit.
A volcano of stupidity is constantly erupting out of each of their mouths.
Get While The Getting’ Is Good: Fascist Republican Greed
“Never met a greedy fascist Republican I didn’t like,” said Cheeto, the corrupt felon, convicted sex offender, and abuser of presidential powers.
In the environment of politics both Democrats and fascist Republicans are both at the $$$ trough but the fascist Republicans take the prize for greed, prodded by the wealthy donor class that fuels their lust for power. This perversity was well demonstrated in F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby set in 1925. Interestingly the novel was a commercial and critical disappointment during Fitzgerald's lifetime, selling poorly, but historically it depicts a parallel of what is happening today with a NeoNazi twist. Is this what WE the People have become?
And not only is the morality of the country being tested, the judicial system is put to the test as well with the fascist highest court debasing the rule of law by giving a felon absolute immunity. Emboldened by such a judicial gift, Cheeto is now working out an IRS immunity deal as well.
But the roarin’ 1920’s didn’t end well and with a spendthrift golden gilded Cheeto at the helm and a soaring national debt of almost $40T, Cheeto will become the 21st century Hoover.
When will it ever just STOP???
It’s so hard just getting up in the morning anymore, (despite/especially since I don’t even come close to experiencing the hell so many of my fellow Americans are being forced to endure).
Honestly, every single fucking day!
*Deep breath*
But, hiding under the covers in fear and frustration would be worse than pissing in the wind, of course.
The antidote to this horror is truth. And so long as Meidas and other independent media keep bombing us with it, We The People fucking prevail.*
Woah, that feels better. Thanks :)
*Not just here, everywhere. Slava Ukraini!
There’s your bumper sticker Ms;
“Every single fucking day.”
Would make a good t shirt or mug too. Lol
I understand your feelings of frustration! We all want him gone. Surely, he must feel our hate stinging him like fire ants.
I preordered your book the day you announced it. Can't wait to read it!
Ditto!
Don't forget to also get Brian Karem's "Free the Press." It's excellent.
The dollar's reserve currency status is essentially why we haven't had Argentine-style currency meltdowns despite our fiscal recklessness.
Not a bad time to get some gold.
Republicans used to be Support the Troops now it is F the Troops
He's an idiot! We're dealing with a fucking idiot for president.
The pedophile doesn't give two shits about our brave service men. I feel sorry for our sailors and their families.
Thanks MTN.
I have a hard time understanding why an aircraft cannot drop off supplies and mail to these sailors. Is it lack of leadership or fear. WTF.
Hey GLS, I heard Steve Schmidt from the Warning answer that question. He said if they did that someone would see or find out about it. And the regime would look bad and their lie would be exposed.
Thx for that. What aholes!
Wish I had a better answer. But I think you nailed it.
Gas has been $4.39 in my small Central Illinois town for months.
I paid $5.11 for cheap gas in Bakersfield Ca yesterday
omg. I heard California had high cost of living.
$3.75 this AM in Dallas area.
I really don't know how families with a couple of children are making it. What stress!
It started when Hegseth fired the JAGs who follow the Uniform Military Code of Conduct, which Hegseth found too restrictive for his blood-thirsty cowboy shoot-from-the-hip impulses. As a result, war crimes have occurred and they have been encouraged under this regime. The Trump/Hegseth disregard of the health and welfare of civilians (domestic and overseas), has now progressed to how they treat our own servicemen and women. De-humanitization is their goal, because caring about people gets in the way of their authoritarian goal of international control and plunder. None of this mistreatment of military personnel is a one-off; it is a continued escalation like turning up the heat slowly on frogs in a pot of water. Thank you to Meidas Touch and all of the independent reporters getting the truth out about the deplorable conditions on these ships. The Trump regime will not self-correct without bright grassroots journalism like that of Aaron Parnas to shed a light on the human toll taking place on these ships in the Gulf.
We need to get Hogsbreath to remember the speech he made when he summoned every general, admiral, colonel etc to immediately report, I think it was last September? These men were stationed all over the world, and it was extremely difficult to get here, for what they considered some kind of emergency. 🆘
Instead, what they got was a “lecture” from Hogsbreath about what the new standards for the appearance of all military members. (An emergency meeting? WTF?). Anyway Higsbreath said the new rules of military appearance were the appropriate weight, uniform, cleanliness, and on and on ad nauseam.
Okay - since these sailors rely on outside sources to deliver the proper equipment, get Hogsbreath there on one of these ships and help these sailors maintain these requirements. Show them how to be the proper weight (nutritious food is required) and for cleanliness, sailors cannot go around with stains and shit in their uniforms that go up their bodies over half a foot. So yes Hogsbreath - go to these ships and help them be able to attain your requirements!!! Better yet - YOU stay in the ship while all of this is repaired for sailors to maintain your appearance requirements and let these sailors go home so they can gain the weight they need to follow your rules, Asshole, POS!!!
Rrump doesn't have a rock bottom. He is lower than that.He will never change.
JD Vance is really dumb - almost 2+2=5 level of stupid - when it comes to monetary policy and economics. If the US dollar is not maintained as the world's main reserve currency, the USA would face much higher interest rates, sky-high inflation rates, high unemployment, and a currency that would be in the toilet. Is that what he wants? He can kiss his future Presidential ambitions goodbye.
His only skill is saying the worst possible thing at any given moment.
I guess his overlord Peter Thiel thinks that’s a good idea because he now lives in Argentina where most everyone lives in poverty because of national debt.
While Trump & his regime live it up with playing golf, wining & dining, flying wherever they want in our govt jets, living in mansions, rolling in money from their power & position, our soldiers are starving & living in squalor. They’ve destroyed our economy, & now our military, & working on dismantling our democracy. Congress needs to do its job.
Until we Vote in the mid-terms, and win back our majorities in both houses, nothing will change. Republi-CONS are terrified and Dems don't have any say-so right now.
Navy situation: this is the result of total incompetence at the top--trmp, hegseth, cao. The world sees this and our humiliation goes on unchecked. I want to know why members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have not gone on board the ABE check out the situation. This is their job--oversight. We The People need answers and resolution to these problems, not drivel being spewed by the regime. ] SCOTUS is on recess until October. Why is trmp asking them to rule on his disgusting dancehall? ] JD Vance's comments on the $: he's as demented as trmp.
Just preordered your book! So happy to support your excellent reporting. It’s so frightening how the mainstream media is so brainwashed. Keep up the stellar work!
I hope the Navy will ignore Trump’s command to revert to steam catapults. The price, of course, is that Hegseth will cause heads to roll. How this incompetent idiot retains his position is beyond me. Meanwhile, Congress is recessed for August in a time of real crisis. Do they really want to see the entire U S military demoralized and distrustful of their government. Recruiting is going to fall, our most capable NCOs and officers will begin to resign or retire, and “the strongest military in the world “ will no longer describe our military. We could use some help from Ukraine. NATO is losing its cohesion and respect. This is their war now, even though Trump started it. Their economies are struggling as well. There have been times, admittedly not for a while, that we have bailed them out. I think it’s time for some help, but I know the risk is WW III. The cost to the country is being hidden, but even our capability to supply what’s needed has been ravaged by Iran. Their strategic minds have far exceeded ours, at least of those currently leading this failing effort. Trump and the government as a whole deny this and lie and cover up the damage done to our bases and trust in the Middle East. If not for independent media, we would all be in the dark.
Reminds me of the Caine Mutiny.
"Ah but the strawberries...."
We do realize that Trump is incapable of initiating anything other than blathering psychotic utterances in front of a microphone. So every one of these actions that assigns him as the author and implementer is giving a hard pass to the disturbing disgusting horrific harmful puppet masters that are pulling his strings. They wind him up and send him out. They post on social media etc. We have plenty of evidence (thanks mainly to you and independent media like Aaron Parnas and others) that his cognitive decline is so bad that he cannot possibly even think up all of the topics that he comments on or issues executive orders on. I would like to see stories spotlighting the masterminds behind all of these actions he is taking and then maybe Congress can start going after them.
We should all be feeling passionate. Trump is destroying everything. Worse he's surrounded by fanatical scum like Pete Hegseth. Look, Republicans are not going to do anything to stop these maniacs. Hell, they just confirmed the worst AG in history with Blanche. The bright spot is because of Aaron Parnas and Meidas the mainstream media is finally talking about the deplorable conditions on these ships.
Ordered your book this week. Shout out to a local bookshop, "Old Town Books" in Alexandria, VA.
I cringe reading what our military is faced with on every ship at sea. Let’s not forget that many families living on military bases are in dire conditions, as well. So, my question is when will our military - active, in the reserves or retired - stop voting for the fascists who created this shit-show; for those R’s who say the right words but treat our military with utter disrespect and disdain?
How quickly they have forgotten how FLOTUS’ Obama and Biden teamed up and made the military their focus, meeting with families, visiting bases and making sure their needs were met. I have yet to see any compassion or empathy from the POS’s wife, the POS or any cabinet member.
Why then doesn’t the administration allow Independent Journalists on these aircraft carriers and ships to document the conditions that they claim doesn’t exist.
Have Photo Journalists take photos of rotten food, overflooded toilets, the lack of hygiene products, like soap and toothpaste, the lack of mail from back home or mail going out to families, to keep conditions on the ships under-wraps.
Why are we doing this to our servicemen?
I certainly wouldn’t fight if my own Country was treating me this way… nor would anyone else.