President Donald Trump has announced the new ships: "Trump class" for the US Navy's Golden Fleet. The new US maritime war doctrine is entering full force, permanently changing the rules of the game—and this time, it is no bluff.
The first of these specific ships will be named the USS Defiant, the Secretary of the Navy stated. Posters of the warship were displayed at a press conference held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The warship will be one of the largest in the Navy: it is expected to have a length of 880 feet and a displacement of 35,000 tons, with a crew of up to 850 people. By comparison, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is 505 feet long and has a displacement of approximately 10,000 tons.
The concept of the battleship dates back to the early 20th century, when militaries demonstrated naval power with heavily armed ships. They largely fell out of favor with the rise of missiles and aircraft, but Donald Trump stated that they will now return with "100 times more strength and power."
Christening them... with his own name
The American president is no longer satisfied with mere statements of power. He is designing it, naming it after himself, and sending it to sea. From the "Golden Fleet" and Trump-class battleships to the seizure of Venezuelan tankers, ultimatums to Maduro, and implicit references to negotiations regarding Ukraine, Trump appears determined to restore the policy of raw coercion on a global scale.
The naming process
Older warships were usually named in honor of US states. However, Trump, whose name already adorns many hotels and golf clubs, is currently in what critics describe as a "narcissistic surge." Earlier this month, his administration renamed the US Institute of Peace in Washington to the "Trump Institute of Peace." Last week, the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, appointed by Trump, voted to rename it the "Trump-Kennedy Center," adding a corresponding sign despite the fact that this move required Congressional approval.
"The most lethal"
According to Trump, the United States will initially build two surface battleships, which will be the largest in the history of the US Navy, with a displacement of 30,000 to 40,000 tons. The ships will be equipped with:
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Hypersonic weapons
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Laser systems
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Electromagnetic railguns
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Cruise missiles
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AI-controlled systems
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Nuclear weapons capability
"They will be the fastest, the most beautiful, and a hundred times more powerful than any battleship in history," Trump stated without a hint of modesty. The cost of the initial program is estimated at $26 billion, while the president left open the possibility of expanding the fleet to 10, or even 20–25 ships, which would serve as flagships of American power.
He placed particular emphasis on the fact that the ships will be built of steel rather than aluminum, stressing that he is personally involved in their design. Simultaneously, he announced the construction of 15 new submarines. Trump did not hide the goal: to "instill fear" in America's adversaries and ensure absolute dominance at sea.
Venezuela... Seizure of ships, oil, and an ultimatum to Maduro
In the same warlike tone, Trump confirmed that the US has proceeded with a strict naval blockade of Venezuela, announcing that three tankers and the oil they were carrying have been seized. "We're going to keep them. We might use them for strategic reserves. We’re keeping the ships, too," he declared.
The American president made it clear that the blockade will not only remain but will be tightened, arguing that Venezuela is now fully encircled and economically isolated. At the same time, he demanded the return of assets that—according to him—were taken from American companies through nationalizations:
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Oil
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Land
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Energy rights
"We are taking back what rightfully belongs to us," he said characteristically.
In detail, the US president once again accused Venezuelan authorities of embezzling American assets and demanded their full return. These include oil, land, and other resources which he claims were stripped from American companies as a result of the nationalization of the oil and gas sector in previous decades.
The climax came with an open ultimatum to Maduro: "I told him: leave now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now." He added, with a clear threat: "If he plays the tough guy, this will be the last time."
Negotiations for Ukraine
Speaking on other areas of foreign policy, Trump briefly referred to the conflict in Ukraine. He said that negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are underway, characterizing their progress as "normal." He stated that the involved parties are tired of the war and are interested in ending it.
At the same time, the president did not reveal details of the negotiation process and did not announce any new initiatives or changes in Washington's position regarding military aid to Kyiv.
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