New US warship named after Trump

FLORIDA, Dec 23 (Reuters): President Donald Trump announced on Monday plans to build a new "Trump-class" of battleships - larger, faster and "100 times more powerful" than any before - aimed at cementing U.S. naval dominance, starting with two vessels as part of an expanded "Golden Fleet."
He said the project would eventually be expanded to encompass 20 to 25 new vessels.
The planned build-out of warships will ultimately result in "more tonnage and firepower under construction than at any time in history," U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan said, adding that components would be built in every U.S. state.
He said the battleships would not only feature the "biggest guns" ever carried on a U.S. warship but also would carry nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missiles. The first of the new battleships will be christened the USS Defiant.
In addition to the new battleship class, the Golden Fleet envisions an increase in the number of other types of war vessels, including a smaller, more nimble frigate class previously announced by the U.S. Navy, Trump said.
Meanwhile, Trump reasserted on Monday that the United States needs Greenland for its national security and said a special envoy he appointed to the Arctic island would "lead the charge."
Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Sunday as his special envoy to Greenland, drawing renewed criticism from Denmark and Greenland over Washington's interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island.
Trump has advocated for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, to become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance and mineral resources. Landry, who took office as governor in January 2024, publicly supports the idea.
"We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals ... If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it," Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, adding that Landry wanted to "lead the charge."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen earlier said in a joint statement that Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.
"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security," they said. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."
Landry, in a post on X, thanked Trump: "It's an honor to serve ... in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"