Trump Announces 'Golden Fleet': A New Era of Battleships

Fri Dec 26 2025 04:59:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bold move, President Trump reveals plans for the construction of a new fleet of Navy battleships named after himself, aiming to boost the US naval capabilities and address the growing shipbuilding competition with China.

President Trump has unveiled plans for a new class of Navy battleships, called the Trump-class USS Defiant, as part of a significant expansion of the US Navy. This 'Golden Fleet' initiative is designed to enhance American naval power and address challenges posed by China. The first vessels are set to be operational within two-and-a-half years, with a total of up to 25 ships planned. Critics have raised concerns regarding the project’s feasibility and the previous shortcomings of similar initiatives under Trump's administration.

In a significant maritime announcement, President Donald Trump has declared plans for the commission of a new series of heavily armed Navy battleships dubbed the 'Trump-class' as part of a revamped naval initiative termed the 'Golden Fleet'. The announcement was made in Florida, where Trump stated that construction on the USS Defiant, the first ship of this new class, will soon commence.

The Trump-class ships are expected to be equipped with cutting-edge weaponry, including hypersonic projectiles, and designed to surpass any previously built battleship in speed, size, and power. Initially, Trump has greenlit the construction of two ships with intentions to eventually build up to 25.

During the announcement, attended by key figures within his administration, Trump emphasized the new vessels would be built domestically, generating thousands of jobs and bolstering the US shipbuilding industry, which has fallen behind China in recent years.

As naval and air assets in the Caribbean surge amid tensions with Venezuela, the urgency to enhance American military capabilities is clear—officials have acknowledged the US currently lags behind its main maritime rival in ship production.

Historically, previous attempts to introduce new classes of ships have faced significant delays and budget overruns, raising skepticism about the latest initiative's feasibility. Critics worry that Trump's ambitious plans might not materialize as expected, echoing problems seen with earlier defense contract projects.

Trump's declaration signals a renewed focus on military strength, as the U.S. Navy aims to adapt to changing global dynamics, particularly with increasing competition from China's expanding naval forces.