President Donald Trump on Monday announced plans for a new fleet of U.S. Navy battleships, calling them the future of American sea power.
The ships are being described as a new “Trump class,” marking a major shift in how the U.S. military presents itself to the world.
The president shared the news during an event at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida. Senior defense and national security officials were present as Trump outlined his vision for the future of the Navy.
At the center of that vision is replacement.
Trump said many current U.S. ships are outdated and no longer match the level of power needed to face modern threats. He argued that America must move faster and think bigger to stay ahead of rivals like China.
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From there, the focus shifted to American industry.
Trump stressed that the new ships will be built in the United States. He said the plan would create jobs, revive shipyards, and restore pride in American manufacturing. In his view, military strength and economic strength should move together.
But this plan is not only about firepower.
Trump made clear he wants a direct role in how the ships look. He criticized current Navy designs, saying some vessels sacrifice appearance in the name of stealth. According to Trump, a powerful ship should also look powerful.
That idea led to the creation of what he called the “Golden Fleet.”
The new battleships would be the centerpiece of this fleet. Trump said they would be larger than any warships built before and packed with advanced weapons. These include long-range missiles, new laser systems, and cutting-edge technology.
He also said the ships would rely heavily on artificial intelligence, though he did not explain how much control AI would have.
The plan starts small but aims high.
Two ships are expected to be built first. After that, Trump said production would expand quickly. His long-term goal is a fleet of more than 20 ships that would lead U.S. naval operations around the world.
Naturally, the announcement raised questions.
Military ship classes are usually named after their first vessel. Because of that, some observers wondered whether one ship could eventually carry Trump’s name. Displays at the event, however, showed a different name, suggesting final decisions have not been made.
The timing of the announcement is also important.
It comes as the U.S. increases naval activity in the Caribbean. American forces have been intercepting oil tankers as part of pressure on Venezuela’s government. Officials say these efforts are meant to limit illegal oil exports.
At the same time, the Navy recently confirmed plans to build a new class of frigates. These smaller ships will protect shipping routes and support larger vessels, adding to the broader military buildup.
.@POTUS: “These cutting edge vessels will be some of the most lethal surface warfare ships… We envision that these ships will be the first of a whole new class of battleships to be produced in the years to come.” https://t.co/TiZhdRbIej pic.twitter.com/DMVbS216KG
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 22, 2025
Featured image via X screengrab
