Trump Proposes Ambitious 'Golden Fleet' Battleships Named After Himself

Tue Dec 23 2025 08:47:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bold move to bolster U.S. naval power, President Trump announces the construction of a new class of battleships, the 'Trump Class USS Defiant,' as part of a larger naval expansion plan.

During an event at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump unveiled plans for a new series of battleships named after himself, known as the 'Trump Class USS Defiant.' The initiative is set to enhance U.S. naval capabilities amidst concerns of lagging behind China in maritime strength. The ships will be equipped with advanced weaponry and aim to create thousands of jobs through domestic construction.

Trump Proposes Ambitious 'Golden Fleet' Battleships Named After Himself

In a bold move to bolster U.S. naval power, President Donald Trump has announced the commissioning of a new series of heavily armed Navy battleships named after him, as part of a revamped 'Golden Fleet.' Construction on the Trump Class USS Defiant ships is expected to begin soon, with Trump declaring they would be operational in just two-and-a-half years.

This initiative is part of a larger planned expansion of the U.S. Navy by President Trump, featuring both manned and unmanned vessels, including larger missile-armed warships and smaller craft. Officials have issued warnings that the U.S. is currently trailing behind China in terms of shipbuilding capacity and overall naval output.

Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Trump announced the approval to start construction on two new battleships, with a vision to build a fleet of up to 25 ships. They'll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built, he boasted. The vessels will be designed to carry hypersonic and 'extremely lethal' weapons, marking them as the flagships of the U.S. Navy.

Trump emphasized the domestic aspect of the construction, stating it would create 'thousands' of jobs. His remarks were accompanied by posters of renderings of the Trump Class ships, showcasing a grand vision for the U.S. naval fleet.

Additionally, Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle indicated in a video statement that the Navy urgently needs more capable combatants to fulfill operational requirements, especially as naval assets are being dispatched to confront rising tensions with countries like Venezuela.

The ambitions to expand the U.S. Navy come alongside concerns regarding China's rapid naval expansion. Reports indicate that over 60% of global shipbuilding orders this year have been directed to Chinese shipyards, emphasizing the urgency for the U.S. to revive its shipbuilding industry under Trump's administration.

In a strategic pivot, Trump previously initiated discussions to purchase Finnish-designed icebreakers, further illustrating his commitment to increasing U.S. maritime capabilities. As tensions escalate in the Caribbean and elsewhere, Trump's naval expansion plans signal a significant shift in U.S. defense strategy.