Overview
- During a speech aboard the USS George Washington at Yokosuka on October 28, Trump said he would require steam catapults and hydraulic elevators on future carriers by executive order.
- The White House offered no implementation details, telling Newsweek it had nothing to add.
- Navy leaders and defense analysts say EMALS improves launch performance and aircraft longevity, and reverting to steam would demand extensive, expensive redesigns after steam production lines shut down.
- Scientific coverage corrected Trump’s assertion that water disables magnets, noting the claim is false.
- A viral clip of the remarks drew fresh scrutiny of Trump’s health following his disclosure that he recently underwent an MRI.