Trump unveils plans for 'Golden Fleet' battleships named after himself

December 23, 2025

President Trump has unveiled plans for a new "Golden Fleet" featuring Trump-class battleships, with the USS Defiant as the first vessel expected to become operational within two and a half years. The announcement includes constructing up to 25 heavily armed warships equipped with hypersonic weapons, part of a broader naval expansion addressing concerns that China currently leads in global shipbuilding capacity and fleet size. Trump emphasized that domestic construction would generate thousands of jobs while creating what he described as the most powerful battleships ever built.

Who is affected

U.S. Navy personnel and operations
American shipbuilding industry workers (thousands of jobs mentioned)
China, identified as the main maritime rival
Defense contractors involved in domestic ship construction
Taxpayers funding the naval expansion
Venezuela, amid rising Caribbean tensions
Victims and families affected by Caribbean boat strikes (at least 100 deaths)

What action is being taken

Construction on Trump-class battleships is beginning soon
U.S. naval and air assets are currently surging to the Caribbean
The U.S. is attacking vessels alleged to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean (strikes ongoing since September)

Why it matters

This naval expansion represents a significant shift in U.S. military strategy aimed at addressing the growing gap between American and Chinese naval capabilities, particularly as China now operates the world's largest navy and controls over 60% of global shipbuilding orders. The domestic construction commitment could revitalize the declining U.S. shipbuilding industry while strengthening national defense infrastructure. However, the initiative carries substantial financial risk given recent failures like the $2 billion Constellation-class frigate cancellation, and the controversial Caribbean operations raise questions about international law compliance and proportionality in counter-narcotics efforts.

What's next

Construction on the first Trump-class battleship (USS Defiant) expected to begin soon
First vessels projected to become operational in two-and-a-half years
Plans to build up to 25 battleships total (starting with two)
Construction of dozens of support and transport vessels as part of the broader fleet expansion

Read full article from source: BBC