US President Donald Trump on Monday announced plans for a new class of heavily armed American warships that will be named after himself. The move is unusual, as such honours are typically reserved for leaders after they have left office.
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Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump revealed details of the so-called Trump-class vessels under the US Navy’s new “Golden Fleet” initiative. Senior officials present included Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Navy Secretary John Phelan.
🇺🇸 #Trump announced that the #USA will build Trump-class battleships 🙈
Trump is angry mood!!!
Donald Trump just unveiled a supposed “Golden Fleet” from Mar-a-Lago, complete with two gargantuan warships, a vanity “Trump-class” label, and a lead vessel named USS Defiant. pic.twitter.com/55TJy41oyP
— Hamdan News (@HamdanWahe57839) December 23, 2025
I cannot overstate @POTUS engagement in revitalizing our shipbuilding industry.
He knows that to be a superpower, one must be a seapower. He sees shipbuilding as a pillar of American sovereignty and of our very way of life and he has given me every resource needed to bring it… pic.twitter.com/THFRHWkNr6
— Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan (@SECNAV) November 15, 2025
Trump said two Trump-class ships would initially be built, though the number could increase significantly in the future. He described them as “some of the most lethal surface warfare ships” and claimed they would be the largest battleships ever produced by the United States.
According to the president, the warships will weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes and will be equipped with missiles, heavy guns, and advanced weapons systems. These include emerging technologies such as lasers and hypersonic missiles, which are still under development.
Trump added that the ships would also be capable of carrying nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles. He said the vessels would be significantly larger than current US destroyers and cruisers, though smaller than the retired Iowa-class battleships.
Asked whether the ships were intended as a response to China’s growing naval power, Trump declined to single out any country. He said the new vessels were designed as a counter to “everybody,” adding that the United States has good relations with China.
The announcement comes amid broader changes to US naval planning, including the recent unveiling of a new class of frigates known as FF(X). At the same time, several ships from the Constellation-class frigate programme have been cancelled or placed under review.
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US officials have expressed concern over China’s rapid shipbuilding pace and its expanding naval fleet. Trump said the new initiative aims to restore America as a major shipbuilding power and ensure long-term naval dominance.