President Donald Trump announced plans to build two new “Trump-class” battleships, describing them as the largest and most powerful warships ever constructed by the United States. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said the vessels would anchor a revitalized American naval force he called the “Golden Fleet,” with the first ship to be named USS Defiant.

“Largest we’ve ever built,” Trump declared. “They will have 100 times the force and power.” He framed the proposal as a decisive step to restore unquestioned American dominance at sea and deter rising global threats.

According to details outlined in the announcement, the Trump-class battleships would surpass the size and firepower of the famed Iowa-class battleships of World War II. The proposed designs are expected to incorporate next-generation military technologies, including hypersonic missile systems, electromagnetic railguns, and advanced laser-based defenses, positioning them as multi-domain combat platforms rather than traditional gun-based ships.

Battleships largely disappeared from modern naval doctrine after World War II, as aircraft carriers, submarines, and missile systems reshaped maritime warfare. Critics have long argued that large surface combatants are vulnerable to modern anti-ship missiles and air power. However, supporters of the Trump proposal argue that new defensive technologies and layered missile systems could redefine the battleship’s role in 21st-century conflict.

The announcement comes amid accelerating naval expansion by China, which has rapidly increased both the size and sophistication of its fleet in the Indo-Pacific. Trump’s proposal signals a return to visible, overwhelming naval power as a strategic deterrent, particularly in contested regions where freedom of navigation and maritime dominance are increasingly challenged.

Defense analysts estimate the program could require an investment exceeding $10 billion, marking one of the most ambitious naval initiatives in decades. Trump positioned the project as both a military necessity and a statement of national strength, asserting that the United States must once again build “big, powerful, and unmatched” ships to protect its interests and allies.

While the proposal would require congressional approval and extensive Navy evaluation, the announcement has already reignited debate over the future of American sea power. If realized, the Trump-class battleships would represent a dramatic shift in naval strategy and a symbolic revival of American industrial and military might.