Trump announces the US Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. (December 22, 2025)
Trump announces new US warship class named after himself
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- President Trump announced the "Trump-class" fleet, describing it as the largest battleship class in world history and outlining plans for up to 25 vessels equipped with lasers and nuclear weaponry.
- The new fleet is designed as a global "counter" to all rivals, with Trump emphasizing his personal involvement in the ships' aesthetics and a rapid construction timeline of 30 months for the first two vessels.
President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new class of US warships that will be named after himself, an unconventional move for a sitting commander-in-chief.
The Trump-class ships "will be the largest battleship in the history of our country, the largest battleship in the history of the world ever built," the president told journalists at his Mar-a-Lago residence in the US state of Florida.
Images of the projected design were displayed on stands around the podium, depicting the ships both at sea and under construction.
Scale and Timeline of the New Fleet
Trump estimated that the construction of the first two vessels would take "about two and a half years."
He outlined an ambitious expansion plan, stating that this new class would include 10 ships soon, with an ultimate goal of reaching a fleet of 20 to 25 vessels.
Advanced Weaponry and Aesthetic Design
Trump detailed that the ships will be outfitted with cutting-edge technology, including cannons and lasers. Furthermore, he noted that the vessels would be capable of carrying hypersonic and nuclear weaponry.
In a characteristic remark, Trump stated that he intends to be personally involved in the design of the new ships, telling reporters he has a lot of focus on aesthetics.
Message to Global Rivals
Trump indicated that the development of this new class of ships is intended as a “counter” to "everybody," not just China.
Despite Beijing’s recent and rapid modernization of its own naval fleet, Trump described the current state of affairs between the two nations positively. "We get along great," Trump added.
