Trump Admits Interfering in Battleship Design for Aesthetics
President Donald Trump, during a visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Friday, revealed his direct involvement in the design of a new class of battleships, stating he sought to prioritize aesthetics over stealth technology. Addressing assembled service members, Trump described adding “a little bit more spirit in the hull” to ensure the ships were “gorgeous.”
“They said, ‘Sir, it’d be no great,’” Trump recounted, referring to objections to his preference for older battleship designs reminiscent of World War II. “Why do you say that? The new battleship that we have — which I’ve seen and helped design, I position a little bit more hull — due to the fact that I aim for that ship to look gorgeous, you know. Forget about stealth. They design ugly equipment for stealth. Well, we’re designing great looking equipment, also stealth.”
Trump asserted the new battleships, which have yet to be constructed, would be “100 times more powerful” than their WWII-era counterparts. In December, he announced plans to build a fleet of these ships, dubbed the “Trump class,” and specifically named one vessel, the “U.S.S. Defiant.” This naming practice is unusual, as naming honors are traditionally reserved until after a president has left office.
The visit to Fort Bragg was primarily to honor the special forces members involved in the January capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an operation lauded by the Trump administration. According to the Associated Press, Trump stated the raid demonstrated “the full military might” of the U.S. And ensured “we are feared” by potential adversaries.
During the same address, Trump also discussed the renaming of Fort Bragg itself. The Biden administration had renamed the base Fort Liberty in 2023 to remove its association with Confederate General Braxton Bragg. However, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth reinstated the original name in February 2025, honoring World War II paratrooper Pfc. Roland Bragg. Trump told the troops that if his party did not win upcoming elections, Democrats would likely change the name again.
The Fayetteville Observer reported that Trump used the occasion to endorse Republican Michael Whatley, who is running for Senate in North Carolina. Whatley briefly addressed the troops alongside the President. Trump also congratulated troops on the successful capture of Maduro, noting that three helicopter pilots had been wounded during the operation but were safely recovered after snipers neutralized the attackers.
First Lady Melania Trump accompanied the President on the visit, briefly addressing the troops before introducing her husband. Trump also jokingly suggested he and the First Lady might retire to Fort Bragg, expressing his fondness for the area.