Misinformation only thing to hit USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has become the latest subject of unfounded rumours.

Earlier today, a tweet from Ashton Forbes (@JustXAshton), who identifies as a citizen journalist, appears to spread misinformation that the USS Eisenhower had been sunk.

This shocking statement has already caused significant confusion online.

Forbes tweeted, “🚨Breaking🚨 A source has informed me that the USS Eisenhower has been SUNK. Mainstream media reports from yesterday claim the ship was not hit by Houthi missiles. Social media shows conflicting reports of damage.” The tweet quickly gained traction, with many users expressing concern and seeking more information.

Forbes later added, “Yeah I wanted to hold back on this story in case it’s not true but I trust my source and the media reports stink to me. If this ends up being wrong I’ll retract but the implications are too huge to not report.”

However, responsible journalism does not operate this way. Credible reporting requires thorough verification of facts before disseminating information to the public. Spreading unverified claims can cause unnecessary panic and confusion, undermining the public’s trust in media.

The commanding officer of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Capt. Christopher F. Hill, known as “Chowdah,” did not address the rumors directly. Instead, he posted videos on Twitter showing the ship conducting normal operations and, more importantly for myself trying to make dinner, footage of the ship’s crew baking some cookies in the ship’s bakery.

I infiltrated the bake shop because I smelled something interesting from way down the p-way. pic.twitter.com/8BkWFdI5LU

— Chowdah Hill (@ChowdahHill) May 31, 2024

Image Analysis: Discrepancies Unveiled

The image circulating on social media, posted Forbes and purportedly showing the sinking was identified as a screenshot from the video game Arma 3. The image depicted the fictional carrier USS Freedom (CVN-83), not the real USS Eisenhower.

To provide further clarity, we analyzed the images in question. The first image shows the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the second depicts the fictional USS Freedom from the game Arma 3, and the third image is the one tweeted by Ashton Forbes, which he claimed showed the sinking of the Eisenhower.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

• • The real carrier has a distinct superstructure (island) with specific radar and communication equipment configurations unique to the Nimitz-class carriers.
  • The design and placement of the various antennas and radar domes on the Eisenhower are characteristic of this class and differ significantly from the fictional USS Freedom.

USS Freedom (Arma 3)

• • The fictional carrier in the game Arma 3, designated as USS Freedom (CVN-83), has a different island design.
  • The superstructure features different shapes and placements of radars and antennas compared to the Nimitz-class carriers.
  • The screenshot clearly shows these unique features, which match the superstructure in the image tweeted by Forbes.

Tweeted Image Analysis

• • The image tweeted by Ashton Forbes, which allegedly shows the Eisenhower sinking, matches the superstructure of the fictional USS Freedom, not the real USS Eisenhower.
  • The distinctive radar and communication array visible in the tweeted image aligns with the Arma 3 depiction, not the actual configuration of the Eisenhower.

Oh, and forgetting all that, it’s from January.

This incident underscores the challenges of the digital age, where false information can quickly overshadow verified facts. The U.S. Navy has confirmed that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower remains unharmed and operational, continuing its mission.

Ashton Forbes, despite his self-identified role as a citizen journalist, has (I’m told) a history of posting sensational and often unverified claims, particularly about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370). MH370 was a commercial flight that disappeared in 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, leading to numerous conspiracy theories and widespread speculation about its fate.

Forbes’ involvement in propagating these theories has raised questions about the reliability of his reporting, but I’m not very familiar with this topic, so I would encourage you to verify them for yourself.

His latest  post about the USS Eisenhower serves as a reminder of the importance of skepticism and the need to verify information from reliable sources. As misinformation continues to circulate, it is crucial for the public to rely on credible sources and official statements for accurate news.

For now, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower sails on, and its crew can continue baking cookies and performing their duties without concern.