December 22, 2025: Trump announced at Mar-a-Lago new, “Trump-class battleship” with Navy Secretary and Defense Secretary. Plans for 2 ships initially, total of 10, eventual goal of 20-25 as part of, “Golden Fleet.” Lead ship USS Defiant (BBG-1) would be largest U.S. surface combatant since WWII (880 feet, 30,000-40,000 tons). Navy fact sheet: “most lethal warship to ever be built.” Cost estimate: $10-15 billion per ship.
Analysts expressed doubts ships would enter service - not funded, unprecedented design. Military experts noted battleships obsolete for century. Critics noted naming entire class of warships after sitting president unprecedented.