The Trump-class warship program was officially announced on December 22, 2025, by President Donald Trump himself during a conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Trump presented it as part of a vision of the “Golden Fleet” — the modern equivalent of Theodore Roosevelt's “Great White Fleet.”
Initially, it was planned to commission 2-3 ships to the US Navy, but the Navy's May plan increased the number to at least 15 by 2055. Construction of the first one is scheduled to start in fiscal year 2028, and delivery of the first units is expected in 2036. Subsequent units are to enter service every 1-2 years.
Why so expensive?
The estimated price of one unit is USD 14.5–17.5 billion. This is more than the cost of the entire program of some frigates or destroyers. There are two reasons:
Nuclear drive: the ship is to be powered by a nuclear reactor (this was only confirmed in the plan of May 11, 2026), which provides almost unlimited range, higher speed and space for powerful weapons systems.
Announcement of Trump-class ships in December 2025.
|
Thasos Katopodis / Stringer / Getty Images
Politics and symbolism: The program is personally promoted by Trump as a symbol of “rebuilding American maritime dominance.” The Navy emphasizes that this is a “strategic turning point” and the need for “the greatest possible combat power without compromise.” Critics (mainly from the opposition), however, point out that the price is driven up by political ambitions – the program may become the target of budget cuts if Democrats regain control of Congress or the White House after 2028.
Known technical details and capabilities
The Trump class are “the largest American surface ships since World War II” – displacement estimated at 30,000-40,000. t. They are not the successors of Arleigh Burke destroyers, but a completely new, highest class of large combat ships.
Technical capabilities of the Trump-class ship
|
US Navy Photo
Weapons (based on presentation at Sea Air Space 2026): :
- 128 MK-41 VLS vertical launch chambers (divided into three sections).
- 12 Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missiles.
- Two combat lasers (300–600 kW).
- 32 megajoule railgun with high velocity projectiles.
- Capable of carrying cruise missiles with nuclear warheads (confirmed by former Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan).
Combat roles: :
- Providing “formidable long-range firepower.”
- Command and control platform.
- Anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense of aircraft carrier strike groups.
- Support for strikes against land targets (including suppression of enemy air defense).
Trump personally described them as “the fastest, the largest and with 100 times more combat power than any battleship in history”, although this should be taken with caution, because Donald Trump is known for embellishing reality.
- Read also: Problems of the world's largest warship. After weeks, he returns to the Mediterranean Sea
We also know that the ships are to be built in American shipyards (e.g. Hanwha Philly Shipyard was mentioned).
Controversy
The program is highly aspirational and politically sensitive. Supporters speak of a “return to the era of sea power”, critics speak of “madness in the era of drones and budget constraints.” The current US fleet consists of 291 ships, and the construction of 15 super-expensive units may require enormous funds that could be spent on more destroyers, underwater drones or ships.
Regardless of the political hype, the Trump class is poised to become the most advanced and controversial Navy program of the 21st century – a symbol of ambition, technology and… personal branding. Is Trump's ego really “more valuable” than taxpayers' money? Time and Congress will tell.
