In a move continuing a trend of nomenclature, the administration of President Donald Trump has revealed plans for a new class of U.S. Navy warships bearing his name. The announcement, made on Monday, details the construction of two initial vessels dubbed the "Trump Class," with the lead ship to be named the USS Defiant.
A New Class of Naval Power
President Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan, presented the initiative. Secretary Phelan declared the future USS Defiant would be "the largest, deadliest, and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans." Renderings displayed at the event prominently featured the terms "Trump Class" and "USS Defiant."
The administration's long-term vision involves building a fleet of 20 to 25 such ships. President Trump emphasized their scale and capability, stating, "Each one of these will be the largest battleship in the history of our country, the largest battleship in the history of the world ever built." He further claimed they would be "100 times more powerful" than their predecessors and among the "most lethal" vessels afloat.
Advanced Armaments and Domestic Production
The proposed battleships are slated to be equipped with a formidable array of weaponry, including:
- Hypersonic weapons
- Missiles
- Advanced guns
- Laser systems
Trump asserted that the vessels would be manufactured domestically, with plans to meet with defense contractors to discuss accelerated production schedules for military equipment. "We’re building them here, we have great Navy yards," he said, anticipating high demand for robotics and workers. He also mentioned artificial intelligence would be a "big factor" in the ships' design, though specifics were not provided.
Strategic Message and Broader Context
Defense Secretary Hegseth framed the new battleships as part of a "golden fleet" intended to project U.S. military strength and deter potential adversaries. He cited recent military actions, including strikes on alleged drug boats, as part of the Pentagon's achievements, though such operations have faced scrutiny over transparency.
The announcement comes as the U.S. Navy has historically faced challenges with delays in battleship construction, a point noted in an April 2025 Government Accountability Office post. The "Trump Class" battleships now join a growing list of institutions and items, such as the "Trump-Kennedy Center" and "Trump Institute of Peace," that have received the president's namesake during his administration.
In a concluding remark on the design process, President Trump noted, "The U.S. Navy will lead the design of these ships, along with me because I’m a very aesthetic person." The project now moves into the planning and contracting phase, with its ambitious goals set against the practical realities of naval procurement and construction.
