President Trump has announced the most ambitious naval expansion in decades with his revolutionary “Trump Class” battleships, marking America’s triumphant return to unmatched sea power dominance.
Story Highlights
- Trump unveils massive 30,000-40,000-ton “Trump Class” battleships with USS Defiant as lead ship
- Revolutionary vessels armed with hypersonic missiles, railguns, and high-powered laser systems
- Construction begins immediately with first delivery in 2.5 years, fleet could expand to 25 ships
- Part of $26 billion naval investment to counter China and Russia in the 2030s
Trump Announces Revolutionary Naval Revival
President Donald Trump unveiled plans for America’s most powerful naval vessels since World War II on December 22, 2025. The “Trump Class” battleships represent a dramatic departure from decades of naval strategy, with the USS Defiant leading this new generation of 30,000-40,000-ton steel warships. These vessels will serve as the centerpiece of Trump’s “Golden Fleet” initiative, designed to restore American naval supremacy against rising global threats.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the announcement as a “generational commitment to American sea power,” while Admiral Daryl Caudle emphasized these ships meet the Navy’s need for larger surface combatants. Trump personally involved himself in the design process, citing his aesthetic interests and vision for vessels that project American strength worldwide.
Advanced Weaponry Surpasses All Rivals
The Trump Class battleships feature cutting-edge armaments that Trump claims make them “100 times more powerful” than existing vessels. These warships will carry nuclear-armed missiles, “undetectable” hypersonic weapons, electromagnetic railguns, and high-powered lasers capable of wiping out enemy targets. This represents the most advanced naval weapons package ever assembled on American ships.
Navy Secretary John Phelan promised these vessels will “make battle groups great again,” serving as sources of “awe and reverence” when visiting foreign ports. The ships contrast sharply with cost-cutting measures on frigate programs like FF(X), which lack vertical launch systems and mirror the underarmed Littoral Combat Ships that have disappointed naval strategists.
Strategic Response to Global Threats
The battleship announcement coincided with heightened tensions as U.S. forces attempted to intercept Venezuelan-linked vessels, demonstrating the immediate relevance of enhanced naval deterrence. These massive combatants are specifically designed to counter peer competitors like China and Russia throughout the 2030s, when current naval assets may prove insufficient against advanced enemy capabilities.
Trump’s naval revival builds on recent defense authorizations, including $26 billion allocated for new ships, destroyers, and submarines. The President announced construction of the first two ships will begin “almost immediately,” with delivery targeted for approximately 2.5 years. The fleet could ultimately expand to 20-25 vessels, representing the largest naval expansion in modern American history and fulfilling Trump’s promise to rebuild American military strength.
Sources:
What We Know About the Trump Class Battleship
