Trump Hit With New Price Tag
President Donald Trump’s proposal to build a powerful new fleet of nuclear-powered battleships is facing renewed scrutiny after a new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimated the program could cost about $275 billion over the next three decades.
The report outlines what would become one of the most expensive naval construction programs in U.S. history if Congress approves the full fleet.
USS Defiant Would Be the First Ship
According to the nonpartisan CBO, Trump’s proposed fleet would consist of 15 nuclear-powered guided missile battleships.
The first vessel, expected to be named USS Defiant, is projected to cost $23.4 billion alone. The remaining 14 ships would each cost roughly $18 billion, bringing the total estimated price tag to approximately $275 billion through 2056.
Budget analysts believe the Navy could order the first ship in 2028, but construction would likely take at least eight years before it is ready for service.
Trump Promises the Most Powerful Battleships Ever Built
Trump first announced the new battleship program in December before later deciding the ships would use nuclear propulsion instead of conventional engines.
While unveiling the project, Trump described the new vessels as a dramatic leap forward for the U.S. Navy.
He said the ships would be “the fastest, the biggest and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” adding that each would weigh more than 30,000 tons.
Supporters argue the fleet would strengthen American military dominance and help counter growing naval threats from rivals such as China.
Nuclear Power Raises Costs—but Could Save Money Later
The CBO found that switching to nuclear propulsion would increase construction costs by roughly 13% compared with conventional engines.
However, analysts also noted the change could reduce long-term operating expenses because nuclear-powered ships would not require traditional fuel throughout much of their service lives.
Can America’s Shipyards Build Them?
The report also raised questions about whether America’s current shipbuilding industry can handle a project this large.
According to the CBO, the Navy’s long-range shipbuilding plan would require more than doubling production of large surface warships by 2035.
Analysts pointed out that the Navy currently does not expect Bath Iron Works in Maine or Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi to perform final assembly on the new battleships—even though those two shipyards have built nearly every major U.S. Navy surface combatant over the past four decades.
No other American shipyard has recently completed projects of that scale.
Democrats Push Back on the Proposal
The report was requested by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee.
Merkley argued Congress should avoid approving another costly Pentagon weapons program, saying lawmakers should instead focus spending on other national priorities.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also questioned the proposal. Reed said he does not believe giant battleships represent the future of modern warfare, although he acknowledged supporters argue the vessels could launch long-range missiles while remaining outside many enemy strike zones.
Debate Over Trump’s Naval Vision Is Just Beginning
The CBO report does not determine whether the program will move forward, but it is expected to play a major role as Congress debates future defense spending.
Supporters see Trump’s proposed “Golden Fleet” as a bold investment in restoring American naval strength and projecting power across the globe. Critics argue lawmakers should carefully weigh the program’s enormous price tag against other military priorities before committing hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars.