Official announcements from the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense

Biden Names Future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and USS George W. Bush (CVN 83) Aircraft Carriers

Jan 13, 2025, 11:34 PM

President Joe Biden has announced that the next two Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be named after former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and USS George W. Bush (CVN 83) will begin construction in the coming years. Biden personally informed both former presidents of the honor, noting their humility and understanding of the responsibilities associated with being Commander-in-Chief. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the decision, stating that the carriers will serve as tributes to the legacies of Clinton and Bush in service to the United States. The announcement marks a continuation of the tradition of naming aircraft carriers after former presidents, with the carriers expected to join the fleet in the mid-2030s.