Trump’s Current Naval Fixation
Why is the president obsessed with steam power?
Donald Trump's obsession with steam power has led him to order the USS Doris Miller to be equipped with steam catapults instead of the more modern electromagnetic launch system. This shift could increase costs and delay the ship's completion, which is already set for the mid-2030s. Trump has been advocating for steam catapults since 2017, despite the Gerald Ford, the only carrier not using them, being already built.
Critics argue that steam propulsion is less efficient and more costly in the long run, as electromagnetic propulsion requires fewer repairs. The president's focus on aesthetics over strategy has also resulted in plans for a new class of battleships, dubbed the "Trump class," which could cost taxpayers around $275 billion.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
