Palm Beach, United States | December 23, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for a new class of heavily armed U.S. Navy warships named the “Trump-class,” marking a rare instance of a sitting president approving military vessels bearing his own name.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on December 22, 2025, President Trump said the ships would be among the most powerful surface warfare vessels ever built by the United States.
Key Details of the Trump-Class Warships
According to the President, the U.S. Navy will initially build two Trump-class ships, with the possibility of expanding the fleet in the future. He described the vessels as:
- Displacement: Between 30,000 and 40,000 tons
- Armament: Missiles, large-caliber naval guns, lasers, and hypersonic weapons under development
- Nuclear Capability: Designed to carry nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles
- Role: Heavy surface warfare and fleet leadership
President Trump said the ships would be larger than existing U.S. destroyers and cruisers, though still slightly smaller than the retired Iowa-class battleships, which were decommissioned in the 1990s.
Announcement with Senior U.S. Officials
The announcement was made alongside senior administration and defense officials, including:
- Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- John Phelan, Secretary of the Navy
Renderings of the proposed Trump-class ships were displayed during the event.
Strategic Purpose and Global Context
When asked whether the Trump-class warships were intended to counter China’s growing naval power, President Trump avoided naming any specific country.
“It’s a counter to everybody,” Trump said. “It’s not China. We get along great with China.”
However, U.S. officials have previously acknowledged concerns about China’s rapid shipbuilding pace, which has allowed Beijing to surpass Washington in total naval ship numbers.
Design Involvement and Aesthetic Focus
President Trump also stated he plans to be personally involved in the design process.
“I’m going to be involved along with the Navy,” he said. “Because I’m a very aesthetic person.”
Trump has previously criticized the appearance of U.S. naval vessels and emphasized that the new ships would combine power with visual appeal.
Broader U.S. Navy Shipbuilding Plans
The Trump-class announcement comes shortly after the Navy revealed plans for a new FF(X) frigate class, intended to complement larger warships.
- The FF(X) frigates will be based on an existing design by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)
- The design is already used by the U.S. Coast Guard
- The Navy aims to launch the first FF(X) frigate by 2028
These plans follow the cancellation of four out of six Constellation-class frigates, with the remaining two currently under review.
“Restoring America’s Shipbuilding Power”
President Trump framed the Trump-class program as part of a broader effort to revive U.S. shipbuilding capacity.
“We’re going to restore America as a major shipbuilding power,” he said.
“We’re going to ensure the USA has the most powerful fleet anywhere in the world, long into the future.”
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