Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized President Donald Trump for spending $275 billion from taxpayers on a group of Navy battleships named after the president.He called the program a way to show off and not a real benefit for people.Schumer shared this on X on August 6, 2026, the day after a report showed the cost of these ships had gone up by almost 50% from what was first planned.
The senator’s post read, in full:
“Trump’s latest waste of time and money:
$275 BILLION in taxpayer dollars for a “golden fleet” of Navy battleships with his name on them.
Not a single penny to lower costs for the American people.
Plenty to serve Trump’s egomania and narcissism.”
Schumer said the money was being spent more for showing off than for national defense.
He used words like “egomania” and “narcissism” to say the spending was more about the president’s image than the country’s needs.These words are about being too focused on oneself and wanting admiration.
The report from the Congressional Budget Office said the first ship, the U.S.S.
Defiant, will cost $23.4 billion, which is $8 billion more than first thought.Each of the other 14 ships is expected to cost about $18 billion, making the total cost $275 billion for all 15 ships.Building the first ship could take eight years or more.
Senator Jeff Merkley, who asked for the budget report, said it’s hard to justify spending so much when families are struggling with basic needs.
He said the money should not be used for a fleet of ships named after the president.He also warned about the risk of another big, wasteful military project.
President Trump introduced the idea of these ships in December 2025 at Mar-a-Lago.
He said they would help the U.S.stay strong, revive the shipbuilding industry, and scare the enemy.The ships are supposed to be bigger and more powerful than anything before.
The choice to use nuclear reactors instead of regular engines has made the cost even higher.
Experts say that new ships usually end up being more expensive than expected.
These new ships are not like the old-style battleships from the past.
They are smaller and use missiles instead of big guns.Some weapons the Navy wants to put on them, like a railgun, were canceled before.Others, like a laser weapon, don’t exist yet.
Trump wants to build up to 25 of these ships, which would make the total cost around $455 billion.
Some members of Congress are against the plan.
Senator Patty Murray said the White House request for $1 billion for these ships was not included in the current funding bill.She said the bill rejected the idea of more funding for the military.In April, Trump fired his Navy secretary because of delays in building the ships.
Merkley compared the battleship program to another Trump project, the “Golden Dome” missile defense system, saying both have cost way more than expected.
The Navy has had trouble building new ships on time and within budget in recent years.
Programs like the Constellation-class frigates and littoral combat ships faced many problems.The Ford-class aircraft carriers also ran into delays and technical issues.Only one of them is currently working, and the others are delayed.
About the Author
