NAVAL STATION NORFOLK — President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social that he is coming to Norfolk Sunday to celebrate the United States Navy's 250th birthday, where he will be joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
Trump will join thousands of sailors at Naval Station Norfolk at the Navy's event, America’s Navy 250: Titans of the Sea — A Salute to the Fleet, on Oct. 5, about a week ahead of the Navy's official birthday on Oct. 13.
"I am proud to announce that on Sunday, October 5th, I will be hosting a Salute to the Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia, to honor our brave men and women of the United States Navy," Trump posted.
"This once-in-a-generation event will honor the Navy’s unmatched record of victory at sea, showcase its cutting-edge fleet, and inspire the next generation of warriors to carry America’s strength across every ocean," a release from event organizers states.
Trump was originally scheduled to visit Norfolk Friday, Oct. 3, according to the Washington Post, citing an anonymous White House Official.
However, the Titans of the Sea event was moved to Sunday due to anticipated inclement weather.
Watch related: President Trump addresses senior military leaders in Quantico
The upcoming visit comes 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.”
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."
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."
Trump last visited the Hampton Roads area while he was on the campaign trail in June 2024. He spoke for over an hour and a half at his rally, held 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.
