President Donald Trump revealed plans for a new class of Navy battleships named after him during a speech at Mar-a-Lago. The “Trump-class” vessels will form the core of a revamped “Golden Fleet.” Construction starts soon on the lead ship, USS Defiant, with up to 25 ships planned.
Announcement at Mar-a-Lago Event
Trump made the disclosure on Monday at his Florida golf club. He stood alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Navy Secretary John Phelan. Large posters showed renderings of the Trump-class USS Defiant behind the podium.
Watch full announcement video
The president described the ships as the fastest, biggest, and most powerful ever built. He approved two to begin construction right away. Officials aim for the first vessels to operate in two-and-a-half years.
Trump emphasized domestic building to create thousands of jobs. He noted the ships will carry hypersonic and highly lethal weapons. These will serve as flagships for the US Navy.
Details of the Trump-Class Design
The vessels will weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 tons. Concept art depicts a large gray warship with an American flag. It features missile launchers, a laser weapon, and a helicopter nearby. One image shows the ship near the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline.
Trump Class USS Defiant near NYC skyline
Trump called himself a key designer due to his aesthetic sense. Navy Secretary Phelan told the Wall Street Journal that Trump requested a “big, beautiful” battleship. The fleet will also include support and transport vessels.
Recent US Coast Guard Legend-class cutters form part of this expansion. Chief of Naval Operations Daryl Caudle stressed the need for more small surface combatants. He said current numbers are one-third of requirements after operations in the Red Sea and Caribbean.
Push to Boost US Shipbuilding
US officials point to gaps versus China in shipbuilding. Over 60% of global orders went to Chinese yards this year. China’s navy holds the title of world’s largest.
Trump vowed to revive American shipbuilding since returning to office in January. In March, he recalled past US dominance in ship production. Now, plans call for rapid output to match rivals.
An October deal with Finland adds 11 icebreakers, seven built in the US. This uses Finnish expertise. Trump has complained about “rusty” Navy ships in the past.
Naming Convention Sparks Discussion
The Trump-class breaks some traditions. Ships usually get names after contracting, not before. Living people rarely receive such honors, and carriers often name after presidents.
Journalist Konstantin Toropin noted on X: “Sigh. Not that it matters anymore but that’s not how naming conventions work… plus, ships are not supposed to be named until they are contracted… or be named after people still living… and typically carriers are named after Presidents.”
Sigh. Not that it matters anymore but that’s not how naming conventions work.
…plus, ships are not supposed to be named until they are contracted
…or be named after people still living
…and typically carriers are named after Presidents https://t.co/dYhxpg3R8d— Konstantin Toropin (@KToropin) December 22, 2025
Marc Caputo posted on X: “Trump about to announce new ‘Trump Class’ Navy ships.” Dave Brown added that USS Defiant leads the class, not US Trump as the class name.
Precedents exist, like the US Theodore Roosevelt carrier. No current warships bear Trump’s name. The Air Force’s F-47 designation drew similar comparisons.
Broader Navy Expansion Plans
The Golden Fleet covers manned and unmanned vessels. It includes larger missile-armed warships and smaller ones. Navy Secretary Phelan confirmed Trump signed off earlier this month.
A White House meeting involved Phelan, Hegseth, and budget officials. The Constellation-class frigate, approved in Trump’s first term, faced cancellation in 2024. It saw delays and $2 billion spent for just two ships.
Ongoing projects like Columbia-class submarines face delays. The Government Accountability Office called the industry a “perpetual state of triage.” Capacities in China, Japan, and South Korea outpace the US.
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Context of Caribbean Tensions
The announcement ties to US naval actions in the Caribbean. Assets surged amid Venezuela disputes. Since September, strikes targeted drug-carrying vessels, with at least 100 deaths reported.
Trump claimed these saved thousands of American lives by blocking drugs. He ordered seizures of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Two are taken, a third pursued.
Trump warned leader Nicolás Maduro to step down, calling Venezuela a narcotrafficking hub. Maduro responded on Venezuelan TV. He urged Trump to focus on US economic and social issues instead.
