On Tuesday, President Donald Trump highlighted a $3.7 billion commitment made by the military technology firm Anduril to construct parts for nuclear-powered submarines at a shipyard near Baltimore.
It’s one of several rallies Trump is hosting throughout the nation to highlight factory investments, as the president’s support ratings on the economy have suffered due to continuously high inflation and high gas costs brought on by the Iran War.
For literally more than a century, the shipyard at Sparrows Point and the laborers of Baltimore have been an essential component of the industrial might of the United States.
Quick Fact
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment | $3.7 billion |
| Company | Anduril Industries |
| Location | Sparrows Point, Baltimore County, Maryland |
| Direct Jobs | More than 3,100 |
| Indirect Jobs | More than 11,000 |
| U.S. Navy Contract | Up to $2.9 billion |
| Facility | Anduril Arsenal 2 |
| Expected Operations | 2030 |
| Main Purpose | Manufacturing components for Virginia class submarines |
Trump Targets Maryland Voters Ahead
He spoke in Sparrows Point, Maryland, the location of a former Bethlehem Steel steel factory that shut down in 2012.
With less than a month until the midterm elections on November 3, Trump is attempting to mobilize Republican voters.
Moore was prevented from speaking at the gathering, according to the governor’s spokesperson, Ammar Moussa. Moore is seen as a candidate in 2028 and is running for reelection.
“When it comes to delivering for Marylanders, Governor Moore has always said he will work with anyone, but when it comes to standing up for them, he will bow to no one,” Moussa said.
Moore Praise Maryland Jobs Project
Moore “was graciously invited to attend” as a guest, and the “White House worked extensively with his staff and security team to facilitate” that, according to a post made on X by White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.
Moore joined Trump in applauding the project despite the controversy, claiming in a statement that it may generate “the most jobs in Maryland history.”
A hangar-like building with Anduril banners that read “Who Dares Strike at Liberty,” “Command the Sea Command the World,” and “The Shipyard is the Weapon” served food and beverages to attendees, including several dozen service men, prior to the event.
“Rebuild the Arsenal” was prominently displayed on a backsplash behind the platform where Trump spoke.
Among those invited were a number of Baltimore Ravens players, including standout cornerback Marlon Humphrey. After visiting Texas at Tennessee late last month, the president intends to attend Saturday’s major college football game between Alabama and Georgia.
Trump said, “Whoa,” about the athletes. “These guys are all very wealthy.”
The president said, “Me, I’d rather be floating on seas,” suggesting that he wasn’t particularly suited to serve on submarines.
Trump Announces $3.7B Shipyard Investment
During a White House-organized conference call with reporters, Chris Brose, president and chief strategy officer of Anduril, stated that the $3.7 billion covers “the cost of standing up the facility, building the workforce, filling it with modern technology and other capabilities required to do the work that we will be tasked with.”
During the call, administration representatives stated that the government will invest $2.9 billion in the project by buying the goods produced at the Baltimore County, Maryland, business. For both economic and national security considerations, the Trump administration is attempting to revitalize American shipbuilding capability.
Trump Backs 40% Shipyard Stake Deal
According to Trump, the agreement will guaranty that “the historic grounds of Sparrows Point will never fall silent again” and provide American taxpayers a 40% share in the shipyard.
According to Brose, Anduril would use software and “manufacturing revolutions” in the aerospace and other industries to transform factory output.
According to an official on the call, the United States now has 26 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines and plans to add two more to its fleet in the spring. As required by the White House, that official talked anonymously.
