Trump's "Golden Fleet" Cost May Reach $275 Billion

The report released by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office on the 5th estimates that the new nuclear-powered "Gold Fleet" requested by President Trump may require approximately $275 billion in expenditures over the next several decades. Among them, the estimated cost of the first "Trump-class" battleship, the USS Fearless, is at least 50% higher than originally planned.

The "Gold Fleet" will be entirely nuclear-powered

In December 2025, Trump announced that the U.S. military would create the "Gold Fleet," initially constructing two battleships, followed by the rapid construction of another eight, ultimately totaling 20 to 25 new battleships. These battleships will have a displacement of 30,000 to 40,000 tons and will be equipped with hypersonic weapons, railguns, cruise missiles, and laser weapons, becoming the flagship of the U.S. Navy fleet.

The Congressional Budget Office's report on the 5th stated that according to the initial budget submitted by the U.S. Navy to Congress, the cost of the first ship, the USS Fearless, is estimated to be about $15.1 billion in 2026 dollars, with the second and third battleships averaging a cost of $10.2 billion.

However, months later, Trump decided that the "Gold Fleet" would be entirely nuclear-powered. Comments from the U.S. side indicated that this would significantly increase costs.

Construction of the first ship may take 8 years or longer

In the shipbuilding plan for fiscal year 2027, released by the U.S. Navy in May, which is part of the "Gold Fleet" plan, the Navy intends to order 15 nuclear-powered battleships from 2028 to 2056. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that if the first ship has a full-load displacement of 35,000 tons, its cost will rise to $23.4 billion, about 55% higher than the initial estimate. The average cost of the remaining 14 battleships will also rise to $18 billion, meaning the total cost for 15 battleships could reach approximately $275 billion. If nuclear power is not used, the total cost for this batch of battleships would be about $243 billion.

The report emphasizes that the estimated data carries a high degree of uncertainty, depending on factors such as battleship design, and costs may increase or decrease with changes in full-load displacement and weaponry.

The U.S. Navy plans to begin construction of this batch of battleships in 2028. Trump previously anticipated that the first two battleships would be completed within two and a half years. However, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, constructing the first ship could take 8 years or even longer.

In April of this year, then-Secretary of the Navy John F. Kelly stepped down. Reports indicated that part of the reason was his poor performance in accelerating ship construction.

Hundreds of billions in funding plans spark criticism

Jeff Merkley, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, believes that at a time when American families are struggling to afford everyday necessities, gasoline, healthcare, and childcare costs, Congress should not invest hundreds of billions in the "Gold Fleet," "including putting Trump's name on a new warship." On the 4th, Patty Murray, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated that funding related to the "Gold Fleet" has been removed from the temporary appropriations bill currently under consideration in the Senate, which will provide operational funding for the federal government until December 11.

Some analysts suggest that it remains uncertain whether the "Gold Fleet" will actually be built. The U.S. Navy has repeatedly attempted to construct new warships on time and within budget in recent years, all of which have ended in failure.