Overview
- Construction is set to begin immediately on two large surface combatants bearing Trump's name, with a stated goal of eventually fielding roughly 20 to 25 vessels under a new Golden Fleet program.
- Trump promoted capabilities such as hypersonic weapons, electromagnetic railguns, high‑power lasers, cruise missiles and extensive AI control, but he provided no technical specifications or independent verification.
- Defense analysts questioned the concept and suggested the ships may rely on Arleigh Burke–class technology, highlighting unresolved questions about cost, mission and feasibility.
- The rollout coincides with stepped‑up U.S. maritime operations near Venezuela, recent interdictions of oil tankers and Trump's vow to keep seized vessels along with their crude.
- The White House said shipbuilding contractors will meet in Florida next week to discuss acceleration, and one outlet reported an unconfirmed $26 billion price tag for the effort.