CBO says $275 billion for 15 Trump-class nuclear battleships

A new government estimate projects that President Donald Trump's plan to build a fleet of nuclear-powered battleships could cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, significantly exceeding initial projections and raising serious questions about its cost and feasibility. The Congressional Budget Office reported this week that building the first 15 ships of the proposed "Trump-class" could cost approximately $275 billion, with the lead vessel, the USS Defiant, estimated at $23.4 billion and follow-on ships around $18 billion each.

The program, announced by the president in December 2025, envisions constructing the largest battleships since World War II, displacing 35,000 tons and forming the centerpiece of a new "Golden Fleet." President Trump has said the ships would be the fastest and most powerful ever built, equipped with hypersonic missiles, electromagnetic rail guns, sophisticated lasers, and cruise missiles. The Navy's 2027 shipbuilding plan outlines acquiring 15 such vessels between 2028 and 2056, with a potential eventual fleet of 20 to 25 ships. A separate estimate by the Senate Budget Committee suggests a 25-ship fleet could cost $455 billion.