US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled plans for a new class of Navy ship named after himself. While speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the president claimed the "Trump-class" Navy vessels "will be the largest battleship in the history of our country." The new initiative will start with two "Trump-class" vessels before being expanded to up to 25 new watercraft, which is being dubbed the "Golden Fleet." The first "Trump-class" ship will be called the "USS Defiant. The US Navy will lead the design of these ships along with me, because I’m a very aesthetic person," Trump said at the event, with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance.
Trump wants to boost US shipbuilding as China expands fleet
The president vowed to "restore America as a major shipbuilding power." The US has grown concerned by China’s ever-expanding maritime fleet. Trump said the ships could be equipped with atomic weapons and would have a weight between 30,000 and 40,000 tons. The ships are the latest attempt by the US president to leave his mark on the US Armed Forces. Trump has never served in the military. Naval ships are frequently named after prominent political figures, such as the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. There are currently not any warships named after Trump. Trump has previously complained of "rusty" US Navy ships. During his confirmation hearing in February, Navy Secretary Phelan said Trump asked him "numerous times" what he is going to do about corroded US ships.
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