Former president Donald‍ Trump has unveiled plans for a new, large warship he’s calling a “battleship,” as part of a ⁣broader initiative to establish a “Golden⁢ fleet” for the ⁣U.S. Navy. During a recent announcement, Trump asserted the new⁤ ships would be “the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful ⁣than any battleship ever built.”

Trump’s Direct Involvement in Naval Design

This isn’t the first instance of ⁢Trump taking a personal interest in the aesthetics and design of Navy vessels.​ ⁤ According to ‍reports from his confirmation hearing, former Navy Secretary​ nominee, Josh Phelan, revealed⁣ that Trump frequently contacted him about the ​appearance of ships, ‍even late at night.⁢ Phelan stated Trump “texted me numerous times very late at ​night, sometimes after one (o’clock) in the morning”⁤ regarding “rusty ships or ships in a ‌yard, asking ‍me ⁣what am I doing about it.”

In​ 2020, during a visit to a⁢ shipyard working on the now-canceled Constellation-class frigate, Trump claimed he personally altered the ship’s design. “I looked at it, ‍I said, ‘That’s a terrible-looking ship, let’s make it beautiful,'” Trump said at the time,⁣ as‍ reported by​ Defense news.

Trump reiterated his intention to play a direct role‍ in designing the new warship, stating, “The U.S. Navy will lead the design of these‍ ships along with me,⁢ because I’m a very aesthetic person.”

The “Golden Fleet” Concept and Battleship Revival

The concept​ of a “Golden Fleet” suggests a notable expansion and modernization of‌ the U.S. Navy.​ While details are still emerging, the ‍inclusion ⁢of ‌a “battleship” is notable, as battleships were largely phased out of service after World War II due to their vulnerability ‍to air‌ and submarine attacks and their high ‌maintenance costs. The ​last U.S. battleships were decommissioned in the early 1990s.

The claim of⁣ a ship being “100⁢ times more powerful” than any previous battleship ​is a significant assertion that requires ⁢further clarification. Modern warships rely on different metrics of‌ power – such as integrated combat systems, missile capabilities, and electronic warfare – than traditional battleships, which primarily focused on ‍large-caliber guns and armor.

Here’s⁢ a comparison of key⁢ battleship characteristics ‌to illustrate the shift in naval ⁤warfare: