US President Donald Trump used a high-profile event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to unveil what he called a new “Trump-class” battleship, signaling an ambitious and highly symbolic push to reshape the future of the United States Navy, as reported by Reuters.
The proposal comes at a time when the Navy is grappling with cost overruns, delayed shipbuilding programs, and a surface fleet that has steadily shrunk even as global maritime competition intensifies. At the event, posters showed artist renderings of a ship dubbed USS Defiant, cutting through heavy seas and firing a deck-mounted laser. Another image placed the vessel alongside the Statue of Liberty, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on power, revival, and national pride.
Trump framed the Trump-class as a clean break from what he described as an aging fleet. He argued that many current ships are “old and tired and obsolete” and said the new class would go in “the exact opposite direction.” He added that the Navy would lead the design effort alongside him personally, noting his interest in aesthetics as well as capability.
According to Trump, the Navy would initially build two ships, with the possibility of expanding the class to as many as 25. Each vessel would displace more than 30,000 tons, significantly larger than today’s destroyers, and would integrate artificial intelligence and directed-energy laser weapons. He said the ships would ultimately replace Arleigh Burke?class destroyer, even though those destroyers still have decades of service life remaining.
The Trump-class concept is part of a broader “Golden Fleet” vision aimed at reviving US shipbuilding. The administration has repeatedly pointed to the widening gap with China, which produces more than half of the world’s ships, while the United States accounts for a tiny fraction of global output. When asked directly whether the new battleships were designed to counter Beijing, Trump avoided naming a specific rival, saying the ships were meant to counter “everybody.”
Alongside the Trump-class announcement, the Navy also confirmed progress on a new frigate program based on the Legend-class cutter, to be built by HII in Newport News. Navy officials have warned that the current surface fleet is only about one-third the size required to meet global commitments.
Trump’s rhetoric around the Trump-class was expansive. He claimed the ships would surpass even World War II-era Iowa-class battleships in size and power, carrying hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, railguns, and high-energy lasers. However, many of these technologies remain either experimental or controversial. The Navy abandoned its railgun program in 2021 after years of development, and laser weapons, while promising, have so far seen limited operational deployment.
Despite the skepticism, Navy Secretary John Phelan publicly backed the concept, calling it something the service “desperately needs.” Analysts say the announcement reflects both political messaging and an attempt to align White House enthusiasm with programs the Navy can realistically support.
Whether the Trump-class becomes a transformative new warship or remains largely symbolic will depend on funding, technology maturity, and long-term strategic priorities. For now, it stands as a bold statement of intent, blending military ambition, industrial revival, and unmistakable presidential branding.
