Trump Unveils “Trump-Class” Warships, Starting with USS Defiant

US President Donald Trump announced plans for a new class of Navy ships named after himself, starting with the USS Defiant and potentially expanding to 25 vessels called the “Golden Fleet.” The ships could carry atomic weapons and weigh 30,000–40,000 tons. The announcement coincides with US naval actions targeting Venezuela, with Trump urging the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers, prompting a response from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled plans for a new class of US Navy ships that would bear his name, calling them the "Trump-class" vessels. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump described the ships as “the largest battleships in the history of our country,” emphasizing both their size and their potential strategic capabilities. The initiative will initially involve the construction of two Trump-class ships, with plans to eventually expand the fleet to as many as 25 vessels, collectively referred to as the “Golden Fleet.” The first ship in this new class will be named the USS Defiant.
During the announcement, Trump stated that the US Navy would collaborate on the design of the ships alongside him, noting that his aesthetic sense would play a role in their development. Key figures attending the event included US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump framed the project as part of a broader effort to restore America’s prominence as a shipbuilding power, expressing concern over China’s growing maritime fleet and the need for the US to maintain naval superiority.
Trump suggested that the ships could potentially be equipped with atomic weapons and estimated their displacement would be between 30,000 and 40,000 tons. This announcement represents the latest in Trump’s attempts to leave a lasting mark on the US Armed Forces, despite never having served in the military himself. While naval vessels are often named after prominent figures—such as the USS Theodore Roosevelt—there are currently no active warships named after Trump.
The announcement also referenced Trump’s longstanding criticism of the state of the US Navy, which he has described as having “rusty” ships. During a confirmation hearing earlier in the year, Navy Secretary Phelan revealed that Trump had repeatedly asked about plans to address corroded US naval vessels, highlighting his focus on modernizing and strengthening the fleet.
The unveiling of the Trump-class ships comes amid ongoing US military operations in the region, including a maritime blockade of Venezuela. Trump has recently called on the Navy to seize sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The US has reportedly already seized two oil tankers and is pursuing a third. Trump warned Maduro that any attempt to resist US actions would be met with decisive consequences, framing the situation as a demonstration of US strength and resolve.
Trump has characterized Maduro’s government as a hub for narcotrafficking and suggested it would be “smart” for Maduro to step down from power. Maduro responded publicly, urging Trump to focus on domestic US issues rather than interfering in Venezuela, stating that the president would be “better off” addressing economic and social challenges at home and taking care of his own country’s affairs.
The Trump-class ship initiative, combined with the administration’s ongoing pressure on Venezuela, underscores Trump’s broader focus on expanding and modernizing US naval power while projecting influence abroad. By introducing a new class of ships named after himself, Trump aims to create a tangible legacy within the military and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to maintaining its strategic and maritime superiority.