US Navy Weighs Renaming Carrier After Trump
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The US Navy is reportedly moving to rename the under-construction aircraft carrier CVN-81, which had previously been designated USS Doris Miller. CNN reported that internal discussions included the possibility of naming the ship after US President Donald Trump, while the Pentagon said it had no announcement to make.
Key Points
- CNN, citing three sources, said the Navy has been considering renaming the Ford-class carrier now under construction and discussing a Trump name internally.
- The vessel was originally named USS Doris Miller during Trump's first term, honouring Doris Miller for his actions during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack.
- Navy personnel have reportedly stopped using the name Doris Miller internally and are referring to the ship only by its hull number, CVN-81.
- The Navy is under pressure to settle on a final name before the ship's keel-laying ceremony, which is expected by the end of this year.
- The carrier is expected to be delivered in 2034, and one report said the Navy is also considering using the Doris Miller name for another warship
Why It Matters
For readers in Hong Kong and Asia, the naming debate draws attention to how US military symbolism and domestic politics can intersect at a time when American naval power remains central to regional security discussions. If the change goes ahead, it would break with the long-standing practice that carriers named after presidents do not enter the water during that president's time in office.