Fact Check: Is Trump's claim steam catapults are better than electromagnetic systems true?

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump's decision to replace modern electromagnetic catapults with traditional steam systems on a future US aircraft carrier has renewed questions about his long-running claim that steam technology is better. 

Trump has criticized the electromagnetic system for years, saying it is too expensive and complicated. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Trump says steam technology is better than electromagnetic system on USS Doris Miller

On August 13, 2026, Trump signed a national security memorandum directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Navy officials to prepare a plan to replace EMALS and the Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems on the USS Doris Miller.

The decision follows Trump's long-standing preference for steam catapults, which he has discussed publicly since at least 2017.

Trump has repeatedly shared a story about speaking with a Navy "catapulter" who told him that steam catapults were better.

According to Trump, the sailor said steam systems were easier to repair, while fixing problems with electric systems required highly skilled specialists. Trump's latest order now turns his long-standing criticism of EMALS into an official policy directive.

Trump continued to discuss steam catapults after returning to office in 2025. Last month, at the Army War College in Pennsylvania, Trump again criticized the electric system and recalled his conversation with the Navy sailor.

“So when I went to the ship, because I came into office and the ship was way over budget, built in Newport News [Virginia],” Trump continued.

Trump added, “I said: ‘I want to meet the catapulter,’ and a man came over, along with four of his assistants. And I said: ‘What’s better: electric catapult or steam?’ He’s been there for 25 years. He said: ‘Steam is better, sir. We can fix it with a hammer and a blowtorch. When the electric goes bad, I have to send it to MIT to get geniuses over here.’ I said: ‘Steam is better?’ ‘Yes, sir, it’s better.’”

Fact Check: The claim is misleading

The claim is misleading. Steam catapults have been used for decades and are a proven technology.

However, the Navy developed the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) to improve on some limitations of steam systems.

According to the Navy, EMALS can reduce weight and maintenance needs, improve efficiency, and provide more precise aircraft launches. It also creates quieter and cooler working conditions for sailors.

EMALS has also seen extensive use and is not an untested system. Pentagon data cited by Reuters show that the USS Gerald R Ford had completed 36,863 EMALS launches by March 2026.

The system has also been used during operations and passed the 10,000-launch milestone. At the same time, EMALS has faced documented reliability problems.

Therefore, both systems have advantages and drawbacks, so the available evidence does not support a simple conclusion that steam is better.