$23bn Trump-class battleship faces political storm as Democrats capture Congress

US President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to build a new class of nuclear-powered battleships is facing fresh uncertainty after Democrats secured a sweeping victory in the 2026 midterm elections, putting both chambers of Congress under their control.The proposed Trump-class battleship programme, already facing criticism over its enormous cost and military relevance, could now come under greater scrutiny as Democrats prepare to take charge of key congressional committees overseeing defence spending.According to a report by The War Zone (TWZ), the Democratic victory is likely to put several high-profile Trump administration defence initiatives under the scanner, with the Trump-class battleship emerging as one of the biggest potential targets.The shift in congressional power could give Democrats greater influence over defence budgets and military procurement, allowing them to challenge funding for the proposed warships.The Democratic Party's victory in the midterm elections is expected to give it control of both chambers of the US Congress from January 2027, significantly increasing its influence over defence spending and military procurement decisions.The opposition to the Trump-class battleship is primarily driven by concerns over its enormous cost, military effectiveness and the pressure it could put on America's already stretched naval shipbuilding industry. Democrats have argued that investing heavily in a small number of expensive warships could undermine the US Navy's ability to maintain a larger and more distributed fleet.One of the strongest critics is Representative Adam Smith, who is expected to head the House Armed Services Committee when Democrats take control of Congress. In a letter to Democratic colleagues, Smith argued that the US needs an appropriate mix of highly survivable advanced weapons systems and lower-cost military capabilities rather than a fleet of nuclear-powered battleships proposed by Trump.According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the first battleship, USS Defiant, could cost as much as $23 billion, while each of the subsequent 14 vessels could cost an average of $18 billion.Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told TWZ that the cost of one battleship could be equivalent to as many as 10 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, making it a poor investment for the Navy.About the Trump-class battleshipThe Trump-class battleship is a proposed class of nuclear-powered warships that US President Donald Trump announced in December 2025 as part of his plan to expand American naval power and modernise the US Navy.The programme envisages the construction of at least 15 battleships, with the first vessel, USS Defiant, expected to enter service in 2036.According to the US Navy's proposed design, the warship will have a displacement of around 35,000 tonnes and carry a combination of conventional and advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles, nuclear-capable missiles, electromagnetic railguns and directed-energy laser weapons.The battleship is expected to feature 128 Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) cells, allowing it to launch different types of missiles. Its planned armament also includes an electromagnetic railgun and two conventional 5-inch naval guns.The ship will additionally carry laser-based directed-energy weapons and other close-in defence systems to counter incoming threats. Its nuclear propulsion system is intended to provide the vessel with greater operational endurance without requiring conventional fuel replenishment.