USS Ford is 100,000-ton message to world — Trump
NORFOLK (AP) — With praise and a blessing for the military, US President Donald Trump helped hand over the USS Gerald Ford to the Navy on Saturday and said the state-of-the-art aircraft carrier will send a “100,000ton message to the world” about America’s military might when it is ultimately deployed.
US allies will rest easy, Trump said, but America’s enemies will “shake with fear” when they see the Ford cutting across the horizon.
The president of the US armed forces likened the $12.9 billion warship to “an incredible work of art” and boasted about the American labor that went into building a ves- sel that eventually will house thousands of sailors and crew members.
Trump’s participation in the ceremony also capped “Made in America” week at the White House, during which the president and administration officials sought to draw attention to US manufacturing.
”American steel and American hands have constructed this 100,000-ton message to the world,” Trump said of the Ford during a speech that praised the bravery and spirit of US service members and referenced his desire for a buildup after years of spending restrictions.
”American might is second to none and we’re getting bigger and better and stronger every day of my administration. That I can tell you,” Trump told thousands of service members and guests, including former defense secretaries Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, all packed into the steamy hangar bay on the main deck.
”Wherever this vessel cuts through the horizon, our allies will rest easy and our enemies will shake with fear because everyone will know that America is coming, and America is coming strong,” Trump said.
After the speech, he put the Ford into commission and asked God to “bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her.”
He was followed by Su- san Ford Bales, the ship’s sponsor and daughter of the 38th president, whom the ship honors.
”There is no one, absolutely no one, who would be prouder of the commissioning of this mighty ship than the president of the United States Gerald R. Ford,” she said. “I am honored to give the command: ‘Officers and crew of the United
States Gerald R. Ford, man our ship and bring her to life.’”
”Anchors Aweigh” played as row after row of sailors in crisp, white uniforms who had been standing in formation began filing off to man their stations. Sirens and bells sounded, horns blared and the US flag was hoisted high above the deck.