Summary (tl;dr)

President Donald Trump has announced plans for a new class of "Trump-class" battleships, with the lead vessel named USS Defiant, as part of a broader "Golden Fleet" initiative to modernize the U.S. Navy and bolster American shipbuilding.

Essential Background

The U.S. Navy has not commissioned a battleship since the USS Missouri was decommissioned in 1992, with the last new battleship class planned in 1943. Modern naval strategy has largely moved away from traditional battleships in favor of smaller, more versatile vessels like destroyers and frigates. However, concerns have grown regarding the U.S. shipbuilding capacity lagging behind rivals, notably China, and the need for new, powerful surface combatants. This announcement follows recent adjustments to the Navy's acquisition plans, including the truncation of the Constellation-class frigate line and a shift from the DDG(X) program.

The Full Story

On Monday, December 22, 2025, President Donald Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan, unveiled plans for the "Trump-class" battleships during an announcement at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The first ship in this new class will be named USS Defiant (BBG-1). These proposed warships are intended to be the largest U.S. surface combatants since World War II, with a projected displacement of 30,000 to 40,000 tons, significantly larger than current destroyers.

The battleships are designed to be "100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built" and will feature advanced weaponry such as hypersonic missiles, electric railguns, high-powered lasers, and nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCM-N). President Trump stated the Navy would initially procure two ships, with a long-term goal of building between 10 and 25 vessels for the class, with construction slated to begin in the early 2030s. He also indicated he would be personally involved in the design process due to his "aesthetic" preferences.

Why It Matters

This initiative marks a significant departure from previous naval shipbuilding strategies, emphasizing larger, more heavily armed surface combatants and a return to the "battleship" concept. Proponents argue it will enhance American military superiority, revive the domestic shipbuilding industry by creating thousands of jobs, and counter the growing naval power of adversaries like China. The inclusion of nuclear-armed cruise missiles would also introduce a new dimension to the U.S. nuclear deterrent capabilities. However, the proposal faces scrutiny due to the Navy's past struggles with some of the advanced technologies slated for the ships, such as railguns, and the unprecedented naming convention for a warship class. The announcement also signals increased pressure on defense contractors to accelerate production and control costs.

Geographic Location

• Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, United States (announcement of new battleship class)