Resolution Criteria

The Trump class is a proposed class of guided-missile battleships for the United States Navy announced by U.S. President Donald Trump during a press conference in December 2025. This market resolves YES if a keel is laid of at least one Trump-class battleship by the U.S. Navy. It resolves NO if the Navy officially cancels the program or determines the class is not operationally necessary before any ship is completed.

Resolution will be determined by official U.S. Navy announcements, Congressional budget allocations, or public statements from the Secretary of the Navy regarding program continuation or cancellation. Check the U.S. Navy official website for program status updates.

Background

The U.S. Navy will buy two new "battleships" as part of the "Golden Fleet" effort, with the Navy starting by purchasing two ships and eventually purchasing 10, with a goal of 20 to 25 in total for the class with the start of construction planned for 2030. The cost of building this battleship in an American yard could range from $10 to $15 billion, based on the size and the systems that are included.

The new battleships project would be led by a naval shipbuilding base that has struggled to deliver in recent years, with Navy Secretary John Phelan saying "All of our programs are a mess," noting the best program is six months late and 57% over budget, and last month Phelan axed the Constellation-class frigate program, which was about three years behind schedule.

Considerations

Some experts have commented that this type of ship is obsolete and that none of this class will ever be built. After World War II, the battleship's role in modern fleets diminished rapidly in favour of aircraft carriers and long-range missiles. CNN analyst Stephen Collinson states that the procurement of the Trump-class would likely revive the battleship retirement debate.