CBO Estimates Trump Golden Fleet Cost at $275 Billion
The Congressional Budget Office estimates President Donald Trump's plan for 15 nuclear-powered battleships could cost $275 billion and cause significant construction delays.
Donald Trump announced the Golden Fleet initiative to construct 15 nuclear-powered Trump-class battleships designed to carry laser weapons, hypersonic missiles, and nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. The Congressional Budget Office released a report Wednesday estimating the total cost of the program could reach $275 billion through 2056.
The report pegs the first vessel at $23 billion, with subsequent ships costing approximately $18 billion each. These figures would make the Trump-class the most expensive warships in United States history.
The Congressional Budget Office warned that final assembly at Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. could trigger delays for both the battleships and existing aircraft carrier programs. This risk stems from the fact that the facility is the only shipyard certified for nuclear-powered surface ship assembly. The program's future remains uncertain, with potential cancellation depending on the November midterm elections or a change in presidency in 2028.
Keep reading in the app
The full story and every source, free in the app.
Coming soonGoogle Play