President Donald Trump has announced a dramatic overhaul of the United States Navy, branding the current fleet "old, tired, and obsolete" and unveiling plans for a new "Golden Fleet" of super-battleships that will bear his name.
A New Era of Naval Power
Standing alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump confirmed the creation of the 'Trump-class' battleship. He approved immediate construction for the first two vessels, which he claims will be the largest and most powerful battleships ever built. The lead ship will be named the USS Defiant.
This naval announcement follows a pattern of institutions being renamed in Trump's honour. Just last week, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to become 'The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center'. Earlier in December, the US Institute of Peace was officially renamed the Donald J. Trump US Institute of Peace.
Specifications of the 'Trump-Class'
Trump explained that the new vessels, weighing between 30,000 to 40,000 tons, are designed to be 100 times more powerful than the legendary Iowa-class battleships of World War II. The administration's plan starts with two ships but intends to expand rapidly to a fleet of 10, with an ultimate goal of 20 to 25.
These high-tech fortresses will feature:
- State-of-the-art electric rail guns.
- Hypersonic weapons and high-powered lasers.
- Nuclear-armed capabilities and AI integration.
- Massive guns that deliver force at a "tiny fraction of the cost" of missiles.
"I'm a very aesthetic person," Trump stated, vowing to move the Navy in the "exact opposite direction" after years of criticising its "terrible-looking," rust-covered ships. He emphasised the project will create thousands of jobs in American navy yards, reviving domestic shipbuilding.
Strategic Context and Aggressive Timetable
The announcement comes as the US engages in an increasingly provocative military campaign against Venezuela, targeting boats alleged to be carrying drugs. While Trump did not directly tie the naval expansion to Venezuela, he dropped strong hints, mentioning the nation as a primary reason for needing a more powerful fleet. He also noted the US would keep oil and ships seized from Venezuela so far.
To accelerate the process, Trump confirmed he will meet with defence prime contractors in Florida next week. "We need them now," he insisted. "They have to build quickly. We make the best equipment in the world, but they don't make them fast enough."
This push for a 'Golden Fleet' follows the recent military green-lighting of a new class of high-tech frigates, signalling a comprehensive effort to modernise America's ageing naval forces. Trump framed the new battleships as the perfect tool to ensure no one "messes with us," solidifying a more assertive US military posture.
