Whoa! This was surprising.
President Donald Trump could receive one of the most prestigious honors in the U.S. military: having an American aircraft carrier named after him.
The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering renaming a future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier for Trump, according to CNN. The development is attracting attention because the carrier is already slated to honor Doris “Dorie” Miller, the celebrated Black sailor who became a hero during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
No final decision has been publicly announced, and the Defense Department said it had nothing to announce when questioned about the report.
But if the Navy ultimately names the massive warship for Trump while he is still president, it would be a highly unusual chapter in the long tradition of naming America’s aircraft carriers.
Navy Reportedly Considering Trump Carrier
The Navy announced during Trump’s first term that the new carrier would be named the USS Doris Miller.
Miller earned national recognition for his courageous actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and naming one of America’s newest aircraft carriers for him was intended to preserve that legacy for future generations.
Now those plans could change.
CNN reported, citing two unnamed sources, that an effort to reconsider the USS Doris Miller name has been underway since earlier in 2026.
Under the reported proposal, the Navy could instead name the Ford-class carrier in Trump’s honor.
Miller would still receive recognition from the Navy. According to the report, officials are considering naming a different warship after him.
There is also an effort to recommend Miller for the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration for valor.
Why Naming a Carrier After Trump Would Be Significant
American aircraft carriers have a long history of carrying the names of presidents and other prominent national figures.
The fleet has included carriers honoring Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Gerald R. Ford, John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Theodore Roosevelt.
But honoring a president with an aircraft carrier while that president is still serving in the White House would be highly unusual.
CNN reported that Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has been examining the Navy’s official guidance governing how ships are named, including rules concerning vessels named after presidents.
Any change involving Trump would likely generate considerable political debate in Washington.
Supporters could view an aircraft carrier bearing Trump’s name as recognition of his role as commander in chief and his emphasis on American military power.
Critics would likely focus on the decision to remove Miller’s name from a carrier that was specifically designated to honor his extraordinary service during World War II.
For now, however, the reported proposal should not be confused with a final decision.
Who Was Pearl Harbor Hero Doris Miller?
The story of Doris Miller remains one of the most remarkable accounts of heroism from Pearl Harbor.
Miller was born in Waco, Texas, and joined the Navy before America’s entry into World War II.
At the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, he was serving aboard the battleship USS West Virginia as a Mess Attendant Third Class.
Black sailors faced severe restrictions in the segregated Navy of that era and were frequently assigned service duties rather than combat positions.
Everything changed on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941.
As Japanese aircraft attacked the American fleet, Miller helped move wounded sailors, including his injured commanding officer.
He then manned an anti-aircraft weapon despite reportedly having no formal training on the system and fired at Japanese aircraft attacking the harbor.
His actions turned Miller into a national symbol of courage.
Miller Received the Navy Cross
Miller was awarded the Navy Cross in 1942 for his actions at Pearl Harbor.
At the time, the Navy Cross was one of the highest honors available to an American serviceman.
Miller continued serving during World War II but did not survive the conflict.
Miller died in November 1943 when a Japanese submarine torpedoed the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay during a military operation near the Gilbert Islands.
Miller was only 24 years old.
Decades later, his bravery remains an important part of U.S. Navy and World War II history.
Medal of Honor Could Be Considered
While Miller could lose the distinction of having this particular aircraft carrier named for him, he could potentially receive an even higher military honor.
According to CNN, Miller is being recommended for the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military decoration and is reserved for extraordinary acts of valor.
Any effort to award Miller the honor would have to go through the necessary government approval process.
Miller’s great-nephew told CNN that the family had not been informed about the reported carrier naming change. However, he described the possibility of Miller receiving the Medal of Honor as a positive development.
Trump Carrier Would Carry Enormous Symbolism
The Gerald R. Ford-class represents the newest generation of American aircraft carriers and some of the most advanced warships ever constructed.
These nuclear-powered vessels are designed to remain in service for decades, meaning the name selected for a carrier can become part of American military history for generations.
That makes the reported Trump proposal considerably more significant than simply changing the lettering painted on a ship.
Aircraft carriers are among the most visible symbols of American military strength around the world.
A carrier named for Trump would potentially carry his name across the globe long after his presidency ends.
Political Debate Could Follow
Any decision to rename the USS Doris Miller would almost certainly receive intense scrutiny.
Conservatives who support Trump may welcome the possibility of the president joining other commanders in chief whose names have been given to America’s most formidable warships.
At the same time, Miller’s heroism at Pearl Harbor gives the existing name substantial historical importance that crosses political lines.
That creates an unusual situation for the Navy.
The issue is not simply whether Trump should someday have a ship named after him. The larger question is whether an aircraft carrier already designated to honor an American war hero should be renamed to accomplish that goal.
The reported possibility of giving Miller’s name to another warship could provide one potential compromise.
Pentagon Has Not Announced a Change
Despite the growing attention surrounding the report, there is one important fact to remember: the Pentagon has not announced that the carrier is being renamed after Trump.
A Defense Department spokesperson told CNN that the Pentagon was not ready to provide any new information about the matter.
That distinction matters.
Unless the Navy formally changes its plans, the future aircraft carrier remains publicly associated with the USS Doris Miller name.
Still, the reported discussions raise a fascinating possibility.
Trump could eventually become the namesake of one of America’s newest and most powerful aircraft carriers — potentially while he is still serving as commander in chief.
Whether that happens will depend on what the Navy and Trump administration decide next.
For now, one of the biggest ship-naming decisions in the U.S. military remains unresolved.
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