Trump’s Ego Takes Priority Over Heroism: Navy May Rename Carrier from Doris Miller to Donald Trump
What’s Happening at a Glance
- The Navy is planning to replace the name of a Black WWII hero, Doris Miller, on a new aircraft carrier with that of President Donald Trump.
- No U.S. carrier has ever been named for a sitting president, making this a historic first.
- Senator Mark Kelly and the NAACP have slammed the proposal as a disrespect to military service.
- The same ship was also ordered to replace its electromagnetic launch system with older steam catapults.
Summary
The U.S. Navy is reportedly considering renaming an aircraft carrier under construction from the USS Doris Miller to the USS Donald Trump. Doris Miller, a Black cook who earned the Navy Cross for heroism during the Pearl Harbor attack, would become the first enlisted sailor and first African‑American to have a carrier named after him – unless the Navy changes the name. The move has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and civil rights groups, who call it an insult to military service and a case of presidential self‑branding. The controversy comes as the same ship is also undergoing a design change to revert to steam‑powered catapults, a decision ordered by Trump.
Why This Is Happening
The naming decision reflects a clash between traditional military honors and the current administration’s desire to leave a visible legacy. Doris
