NORFOLK, Va. — President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Norfolk on Friday, Oct. 3, the Washington Post reports, citing an anonymous White House official.
Watch previous coverage: Trump holds rally for thousands in Chesapeake
The president will "discuss the country’s great Naval assets" during his visit, per the Washington Post's source, although further details on his trip are not yet available.
Trump's reported visit is scheduled to happen days after he addressed senior military leaders in Quantico, Virginia. During his speech Tuesday morning, Trump discussed his vision for Naval ships, including potentially reintroducing battleships into the fleet.
“We’re actually considering the concept of a battleship. Six-inch side, solid steel. Not aluminum… Those ships, they don’t make them like that anymore,” said President Trump, later adding, “And bullets are a lot less expensive than missiles. It’s something we’re seriously considering.”
Watch related coverage: Defense Secretary Hegseth addresses senior military leaders
He also discussed modern shipbuilding efforts, stating, "We basically don't build ships anymore, we do build submarines, but we don't build ships."
The president continued, "Did you know in the second World War — there were freighters and different types — but we were doing a ship a day. And now we don't do ships. And I'm not a fan of some of the ships you do. I'm a very aesthetic person, and I don't like some of the ships you're doing aesthetically. They say, 'Oh, it's stealth.' I said, that's not stealth. An ugly ship is not necessary in order to say you're stealth."
Watch related coverage: Trump administration looks into shipbuilding, aircraft manufacturing investments
Trump says he aims to add more than a dozen new ships to the Navy's fleet in 2026, stating, "Under my budget, we will be expanding the U.S. Navy by at least 19 ships next year, including submarines, destroyers, assault ships and more."
This wouldn't be the president's first visit to Hampton Roads. While on the campaign trail in June 2024, Trump spoke for an over an hour and a half at rally at the Historic Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake. This was the day after the first and only 2024 presidential debate between Trump and then-President Joe Biden.
WTKR News 3 will update this article as we learn more on President Trump's reported visit.
