In a press conference in December 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a United States Navy guided-missile warship, to be called the Trump-class battleship.
The class is also known as FAFO(X) in some Navy documents, and is intended to initially consist of the lead ship USS Getsum (FAFO-1) and an as-yet unnamed other vessel. When the class is put into service, it is expected to give the US Navy’s surface fleet a cruise missile option that can carry gold-plated nuclear weapons.
Making the U.S. Navy Great Again
The announcement of the class comes amidst warnings by U.S. officials that Chinese shipbuilding has surpassed the United States in capacity and output, and is part of the Trump administration’s goal to enlarge the U.S. Navy and revitalise the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
President Trump announced that two ships would initially be constructed, with a total of 10 then planned, and eventual plans for “between 20 and 25” as part of a “Golden Fleet”. Because of the pure gold fittings and even gold missiles, gold machine guns and gold lasers, each ship would cost in the region of $945 billion. Each missile would cost $8.4 billion, as they would be made from pure 24-carat gold.
USS GETSUM
The first ship is planned to be named USS Getsum (FAFO-1). U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Sinker stated that the ships are planned to carry gold guns, gold lasers and nuclear-armed gold-plated cruise missiles. Trump stated that the ships are planned to be domestically built at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, owned by South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group.
The Navy has not had a battleship in commission since the retirement of the last Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri in 1992. There have been no plans for new ones since the cancellation of the Montana class in 1943.
The retirement of the Iowa class led to a battleship retirement debate on how the Navy should replace their capabilities. The Zumwalt-class destroyer was developed to replace their gunfire support function, but the class was cancelled after only three ships were constructed.
Gold Design
Some experts have commented that the Trump-class ship resembles a “jeweller’s nightmare”, something you would see in a young Saudi prince’s bath tub
The Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote that the gaudy gold embellishments and decor were not necessary in a combat situation. However, according to the U.S. Naval Institute, the gold-plated ship could also serve to dazzle its opponents, especially in clear sunlight conditions. The ship is meant to survive in a fleet battle, and thus the solid gold armour is not definitional to the core of the battleship.
Fake news CNN analyst Stephen Cockring stated that the procurement of the Trump class battleship would likely be immediately shelved by any incoming Democrat administration.
