Former US President Donald Trump has announced a major new military initiative, green-lighting the construction of two new state-of-the-art battleships for the United States Navy.
A Major Naval Announcement in Florida
The significant defence announcement was made during a press conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on the evening of 22 December 2025. Trump was flanked by key members of his administration, including US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In his address to the media, Trump framed the new vessels as a monumental leap forward in naval power, claiming they represent an unprecedented advancement in maritime warfare technology.
Unprecedented Scale and Power
Trump made bold claims about the capabilities of the proposed 'Trump Class' battleships. He asserted that the designs have been under consideration for a considerable period and that the finished ships will set new global standards.
"There's never been anything like these ships," Trump stated. He went on to declare that they will be "the fastest, the biggest by far and 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built." The former president concluded by labelling them "The largest battleship in the history of the world."
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The announcement to build two new capital ships signals a potential shift in US naval strategy and procurement, emphasising raw power and size. While specific technical details, timelines, and budgetary figures were not disclosed during the initial announcement, the move is certain to spark extensive debate on defence spending and geopolitical posture.
Analysts will be watching closely to see how this plan progresses, given the complex and lengthy process involved in designing and constructing modern warships of this purported scale. The involvement of top-level officials suggests the project is a high priority for the administration.