Elliot Ackerman joins Tom Azelby on The Tom Azelby Show on Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT to discuss media coverage surrounding the USS Abraham Lincoln and the broader political debate that followed reports of a suicide attempt aboard the carrier.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and Media Coverage

Ackerman discusses why the reported suicide attempt aboard the carrier quickly became a political issue and argues that military suicide should not be used as partisan ammunition. He places the incident within a longstanding challenge affecting active-duty service members and veterans across multiple administrations.

Politics, Journalism, and Public Debate

The conversation broadens to America’s increasingly polarized political culture. Ackerman argues that journalists should strive to serve as honest referees rather than participants in partisan conflict, particularly when covering military service and war.

Disagreement Without Dehumanization

Ackerman and Azelby also discuss the personal consequences of political division and the importance of allowing reasonable people to disagree without turning political opponents into enemies.

Watch the Full Interview

This conversation originally aired on The Tom Azelby Show on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia.