PALM BEACH, FL — Standing before a series of gold-framed renderings at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday, President Donald J. Trump announced a sweeping initiative to revolutionize American naval power. The centerpiece of this plan is the “Trump-class” battleship, a new generation of massive surface combatants designed to restore what the administration calls “American maritime industrial might.”
The lead vessel of the class, the USS Defiant (BBG 1), is projected to be the largest and most powerful battleship ever constructed. At an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 tons, the Trump-class will be more than double the size of the Navy’s current largest surface combatants, the Zumwalt-class destroyers.
“Each one of these will be the largest battleship in the history of our country—the largest in the history of the world,” President Trump stated, flanked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. “They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.”
The “Golden Fleet” Initiative
The new ships are the cornerstone of the “Golden Fleet,” a strategic shift aimed at addressing what the President described as an “old and tired” naval inventory. While the Navy has focused on smaller, multi-mission destroyers in recent decades, the Trump-class signals a return to the “big gun” philosophy of the 20th century, updated with 21st-century technology.
Navy Secretary John Phelan described the ships as a “generational investment,” noting that they will carry the “biggest guns of our era.” According to Navy specifications, these “best-looking” warships will be equipped with:
- Hypersonic Missiles: Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) capabilities for long-range strategic fires.
- Nuclear Deterrence: Sea-Launched Cruise Missiles-Nuclear (SLCM-N).
- Futuristic Weaponry: Electromagnetic railguns and high-powered directed-energy lasers.
- Command Mastery: The ability to “quarterback” operations for both traditional warships and autonomous drone swarms.
Economic and Global Impact
The administration aims to begin construction on the first two vessels by 2030, with a long-term goal of building between 20 and 25 ships. President Trump emphasized that the project would be a boon for the domestic economy, stating that components would be manufactured in every state, from “Philadelphia to San Diego.”
When asked if the massive expansion was a direct challenge to China’s growing naval influence, the President responded, “It’s a counter to everybody. It’s not China. We get along great with China… but we are going to have a fleet that is unparalleled in strength.”
The announcement follows a series of rebranding efforts by the administration and marks a significant pivot from the previous “Constellation-class” frigate program, which has faced delays. By leaning into a “high-low” mix of massive battleships and smaller, American-made frigates, the administration hopes to secure maritime dominance for the remainder of the century.
Sources
- Navy.mil: President Trump Announces New Battleship
- USNI News: Trump Unveils New Battleship Class; Proposed USS Defiant Will Be Largest U.S. Surface Combatant Since WWII
- CBS News: Trump announces new “Trump class” of Navy battleships
- Naval News: Trump Announces Nuclear-Armed Battleships for the U.S. Navy
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