The ‘Trump Class’ Battleships Explained

President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a new class of U.S. Navy battleships that would bear his name, marking a significant shift in naval strategy and military branding.

The proposed “Trump class” ships are intended to anchor what Trump has called an expanded “Golden Fleet,” aimed at reinforcing U.S. naval power at a time of growing global competition.

According to Trump, the program would begin with two vessels and could eventually expand to between 20 and 25 ships. The first of the class is set to be named the USS Defiant.

The ships are expected to weigh more than 30,000 tons, making them larger than current U.S. destroyers, and would be equipped with advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, directed-energy lasers, and modern missile systems.

The announcement also comes alongside renewed pressure on defense contractors, as the administration has criticized repeated production delays and cost overruns across major military programs.

Trump has indicated he will personally involve himself in design decisions, reflecting his long-standing interest in the appearance and capabilities of U.S. warships.

The plan represents both a military expansion and a broader effort to reshape how the U.S. Navy is built, managed, and presented, as debates continue over cost, feasibility, and the future role of large surface warships.