Trump’s Late-Night Texts On Rusty Warships Raise Concerns Over Navy’s Readiness

The United States President Donald Trump is concerned over rust-covered U.S. Navy ships. His nominee for Navy Secretary, John Phelan, revealed that he frequently receives late-night messages from Trump about the issue.

Phelan, a businessman and longtime Trump donor with no military experience, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, stating that Trump has contacted him multiple times after 1 a.m., demanding answers about the state of U.S. warships.

During the hearing, Phelan said he had received texts from Trump complaining about “rusty ships or ships in a yard” and asking what was being done to address the issue.

Phelan admitted he had yet to take action, as he has not been confirmed, but assured senators that he would prioritise the matter.

The discussion gained traction when Senator Rick Scott of Florida presented a recent image of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Dewey, covered in rust while docking in Singapore.

BREAKING: At confirmation hearing SECNAV JOHN PHELAN states:

“President Trump texts me often, sometimes after 1AM, asking me what I’m doing to stop rust on our Navy ships” pic.twitter.com/vzNcZG5oCz

— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) February 27, 2025

Phelan humorously remarked, “Please don’t give that to President Trump because I’ll get a text at like one in the morning.” However, he also expressed serious concern, saying, “It’s terrible. I think they should be ashamed. Would you want to go on that ship?”

Rust and corrosion on Navy ships have been long-standing issues due to constant exposure to salt water. When left unchecked, they can lead to structural damage, increased maintenance needs, and reduced operational readiness.

A Navy spokesperson previously explained that while sailors work hard to control corrosion, they must also balance their workload with other crucial maintenance and training tasks.

The issue became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic when fewer port visits limited the Navy’s ability to conduct deep maintenance.

Another contributing factor is the use of eco-friendly coatings, which critics argue do not last as long as previous paints. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has worked with coating manufacturers since the early 2000s to develop ultra-high solids epoxy tank coatings, which have extended corrosion-free periods from five to seven years to nearly two decades.

USS Dewey (DDG 105) Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer coming into Singapore – February 18, 2025 #ussdewey #ddg105

SRC: INST- yplanesonly pic.twitter.com/hu19gfADeF

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) February 18, 2025

However, challenges remain in applying these coatings effectively across all ships.

The Navy is also struggling with shipbuilding and maintenance issues. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report talks about the deficiencies in U.S. naval shipyards, including outdated infrastructure and inefficient layouts that cause extensive delays.

The report warned that without improvements, one-third of the Navy’s maintenance plans for aircraft carriers and submarines may not be met by 2040.

Additionally, the Pentagon has raised concerns about China’s superior shipbuilding capacity, stating that Chinese shipyards outproduce U.S. facilities by 200%.

The Navy has been seeking ways to expand the U.S. industrial base and explore partnerships with allied nations to fill the gaps.

Last year, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbour Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, aimed at addressing shipyard shortcomings and industrial base challenges.

However, the legislation has seen little progress. During his testimony, Phelan assured senators that he would bring a “sense of urgency” to shipbuilding and shipyard improvements.

Which ship looks more rusty?

The US Navy warship or the ship that has been laid up since 1969? pic.twitter.com/wDRe9pIJRu

— Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) (@mercoglianos) February 20, 2025

Trump’s interest in naval aesthetics is not new. Throughout his first term, he repeatedly criticised the appearance of U.S. warships, calling some designs “terrible-looking” and asking for more visually appealing ships.

In 2020, Trump spoke at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard in Wisconsin, where he criticised the look of Navy frigates and claimed he played a role in redesigning them to be “beautiful.”

He described the updated Constellation-class frigate as “like a yacht with missiles on it.” However, changes to the design led to cost increases, delays, and technical problems.

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper also noted in his 2022 memoir that Trump disliked the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, saying its superstructure “looked really bad.”

He compared American warships unfavourably to Russian and Italian designs, claiming they appeared sleeker and more modern.

American naval vessels represent military power and global influence, particularly when making port calls in allied nations. Ships in poor visual condition may impact both diplomatic relations and crew morale.

References: TWZ, Business Insider

Source: Maritime Shipping News