Story perspectives

Navy Reviews CVN-81 Name, Considers Trump Naming

8/21/2026

Center

Trump Considered for Carrier

The U.S. Navy is reviewing the name of the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81, currently designated USS Doris Miller.
Sources say Navy officials are officially considering naming CVN-81 after President Donald Trump in the near future.
The Doris Miller name will be assigned to a different warship later this year.
Trump will wave the flag to start the Freedom 250 race.

Right

Trump Honors Lap

U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade will do an honorary lap around the IndyCar Freedom 250 Grand Prix route in Washington, DC on Sunday, Aug. 23.
The lap is presented as a patriotic tribute to America’s 250th anniversary, underscoring Trump’s celebration of national heritage.
Trump signed a January order directing agencies and the D.C. mayor to design the track.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched the race despite Democratic opposition to advertising.

Blindspot

Navy officials are weighing naming carrier CVN-81 after President Donald Trump and will reassign the Doris Miller name, while President Trump signed an executive order directing agencies and the D.C. mayor to design the Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit, sources say.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

USS Ronald Reagan, the ninth Nimitz-class carrier, was contracted to Newport News Shipbuilding on 8 December 1994, cost $4.5 billion, and commissioned on 12 July 2003, marking the first nuclear carrier named for a living former president. This precedent, rooted in the 600-ship Navy push, now informs debate over naming the future CVN-81 after Donald Trump or preserving Doris Miller’s honor.

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Trump Considered for Carrier

The U.S. Navy is reviewing the name of the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-81, currently designated USS Doris Miller.
Sources say Navy officials are officially considering naming CVN-81 after President Donald Trump in the near future.
The Doris Miller name will be assigned to a different warship later this year.
Trump will wave the flag to start the Freedom 250 race.

1 / 4