Navy Considers Renaming Aircraft Carrier for Donald Trump

The United States Navy is considering renaming the Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81 to honor President Donald Trump. The vessel was originally designated as the USS Doris Miller to commemorate the Black enlisted sailor who fought during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Internal sources indicate Navy leadership has stopped using the name Doris Miller, referring to the ship only by its hull number as they work to finalize a name before the keel-laying ceremony in late 2026.

This proposal aligns with Pentagon initiatives led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to remove names associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion. To offset the change, the Navy is proposing to name a different warship after Miller and has recommended him for the Medal of Honor, a move requiring approval from Congress and the president.

Simultaneously, President Trump has ordered significant design changes to Ford-class carriers, including a return to steam and hydraulic catapults and moving the command center tower toward the middle of the vessels. While these changes threaten to increase costs and disrupt timelines, some experts suggest the Navy may conduct the requested studies without implementing the changes, effectively waiting until the president leaves office.