Mar-a-Lago, FL — President Donald Trump announced the creation of a new class of U.S. Navy battleships bearing his name, dubbing them the “Trump-class,” in a high-profile event at his Mar-a-Lago estate on December 22, 2025. The announcement coincides with other moves to affix Trump’s name to federal institutions, including the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Next-Generation Naval Power
Navy Secretary John Phelan described the new fleet as “the largest, deadliest and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans.” According to officials, the first ship, the USS Defiant, will feature:
- Conventional guns and missile systems
- Hypersonic weapons
- Electronic rail guns
- High-powered lasers
- Nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles
Trump indicated that 20 to 25 ships of this class could eventually be constructed, with designs incorporating both firepower and aesthetics, reflecting the President’s personal involvement. The new vessels are expected to be ready in the early 2030s.
Historical Context
Battleships have not been actively used in U.S. combat operations since the 1991 Gulf War. Trump claimed that the initiative began during his first term, stating, “Why aren’t we doing battleships like we used to?” He emphasized that the new fleet is intended as a broad deterrent rather than targeting any specific country.
Political and Cultural Significance
The naming of the ships is part of a wider pattern during Trump’s second term of affixing his personal brand to public institutions and symbols. Recent examples include:
- Renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the Trump-Kennedy Center
- Adding his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters
- Displaying his likeness on the 2026 National Park Pass
Some of these actions have prompted legal challenges, with opponents questioning the legality of renaming public institutions for a sitting president.
“Peace Through Strength”
Trump framed the battleships as a statement of strength and deterrence rather than an offensive measure. “It’s a counter to everybody… Hopefully we never have to use them, but there will never be anything built like these,” he said, highlighting both the military and symbolic aspects of the fleet.
The announcement has sparked debate over the strategic necessity, cost, and political implications of reintroducing battleships with nuclear capabilities, while also fueling controversy over the President’s use of federal symbols for personal branding.
