'Golden Fleet' Takes Shape: Trump Unveils New Battleship Class with USS Defiant at Helm

In a major naval initiative, President Donald Trump has announced the creation of a 'Golden Fleet' featuring a new class of battleships. The fleet will comprise up to 50 support ships and a surface combatant class, with the USS Defiant being the first vessel. According to retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, the 'Golden Fleet' aims to address the Navy's aging ship fleet, with some vessels nearing obsolescence. The new battleships, dubbed the 'Trump-class,' will be equipped with advanced capabilities to maintain American military supremacy. The term 'battleship' refers to large, heavily armored vessels with powerful guns, reminiscent of World War II-era Iowa-class battleships. However, the new Trump-class will feature modern technologies, including air defense and Tomahawk cruise missile capabilities. This initiative follows a recent shift in priorities, with the Navy abandoning plans for a new, smaller battleship due to cost overruns and delays. Instead, a modified Coast Guard cutter will be used as a replacement. The 'Golden Fleet' announcement is set to take place today, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining Trump for what the White House calls a 'major announcement.' Trump emphasized that the new fleet will 'inspire fear in America's enemies all over the world' and revive the American shipbuilding industry.