President Donald Trump has announced a new class of U.S. battleships named after him, featuring nuclear capabilities and advanced weaponry. The announcement took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Navy Secretary John Phelan described the vessels as “Trump-class battleships” and highlighted the first ship, the USS Defiant, as “the largest, deadliest, and most versatile warship anywhere on the world’s oceans.” The battleships will be equipped with conventional guns, missiles, hypersonic weapons, electronic railguns, and high-powered lasers.
Trump stated that the new fleet could eventually include 20 to 25 ships, marking a significant revival of battleships for the U.S. Navy. “These have been under design consideration for a long time,” he said, adding that the idea began during his first presidential term. “Why aren’t we doing battleships like we used to?”
The ships are also expected to carry nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles, according to Phelan. The last U.S. battleships saw combat in 1991 during the first Gulf War. The Defense Department has tasked the Navy with leading the design process, with the first ships expected to be ready by the early 2030s. Trump indicated he will also advise on the ships’ aesthetics.
This announcement comes amid a broader effort to attach Trump’s name to U.S. landmarks and institutions. Recently, a board voted to rename the John F. Kennedy Center the Trump-Kennedy Center, and Trump’s image will appear on the 2026 national park pass. Some of these moves face ongoing legal challenges.
Trump emphasized that the new battleships are not aimed at any single country. “It’s a counter to everybody. It’s not China. We get along great with China,” he said. “It’s just everybody. We just wanted peace through strength. Hopefully we never have to use them, but there will never be anything built like these.”
The announcement has sparked debate among military analysts and critics. Some question the practicality of deploying battleships in modern warfare, suggesting that hypersonic missiles and advanced naval technologies could offer more effective deterrence. Others note the symbolic nature of naming the ships after a sitting president.
Despite mixed reactions, Trump defended the initiative, calling it a step toward reinforcing U.S. military power. He described the ships as a show of strength that combines modern technology with the historical legacy of battleships, aiming to create a fleet unmatched by any other nation.
The Trump-class battleships represent a blend of military modernization and political symbolism. Analysts say the development will be closely watched internationally, particularly by countries monitoring U.S. naval capabilities. With high-tech weaponry and nuclear readiness, the fleet could reshape perceptions of U.S. maritime strength in the decades to come.
As the project moves forward, the Navy will focus on design, testing, and construction, while Trump’s office continues to promote the initiative publicly. The USS Defiant is expected to set the standard for future vessels, serving as a flagship of both technological innovation and presidential branding.
