Claim that the U.S. Navy ‘halted’ communication between sailors and their families lacks evidence

A web show host set off alarms on Facebook by posting that the U.S. Navy had suddenly cut off communications between military members and their families.

Brad Barton, who hosts a pro-Trump show called “The Lil’ Talk Show with Brad,” wrote a brief post on Jan. 21: “Hearing rumblings that all communications to families from the US Navy have been halted. Something may very well be about to go down y’all!!” 

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) We found no evidence to substantiate it.

PolitiFact reached out to Barton for more information regarding this claim, but he did not respond. Some Facebook users commented on his post that they had, in fact, heard from their family members in the Navy. 

Neither the Navy nor the Pentagon would comment on whether any communication blackout between service members and their families had occurred. A Navy spokesperson, Lt. Cmdr. Devin Arneson, said the Navy makes every effort to maintain open communication between sailors and their families.

The Navy’s ombudsman program “plays a vital role in establishing and maintaining current and accurate communication between the command and its family members,” Arneson said.

Communication between military personnel and their families or loved ones can be difficult or restricted at times, the news site Military.com reports. Internet or phone connections can be hindered depending on where the service member is stationed, or if their schedule has changed. Missions could also hinder communication.

But we found no evidence for Barton’s claim that the Navy cut off all communication with families of service members. We rate his statement False.

By

Gabrielle Settles

Staff writer

January 25, 2022

Truth-o-meter Ruling

False

IF YOUR TIME IS SHORT

• Evidence is lacking to prove that all communication between Navy service members and their families has been halted.
• A Navy spokesperson, Lt. Cmdr. Devin Arneson, said the Navy makes every effort to maintain open communication between sailors and their families.

Statement

“All communications to families from the US Navy have been halted.”

Context

a Facebook post

Speaker/Target

Speaker: Facebook posts

Statement Date

January 21, 2022