Donald Trump claims water can disable magnets during USS George Washington speech. [Photo: AFP]
US President Donald Trump sparked controversy once again with his unusual scientific claims during a speech aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier on October 28, 2025. Addressing members of the US Navy off the coast of Japan, Trump incorrectly stated that water can disable magnets — a scientifically false assertion.
“You know, the new thing is magnets. So instead of using a hydraulic that can be hit by lightning and it’s fine. You take a little glass of water, you drop it on magnets, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said 79-year-old Trump.
He was discussing the US Navy’s use of electromagnetic systems on newer aircraft carriers. Trump insisted the Navy should return to traditional “steam catapults” and “hydraulic elevators” instead of modern magnetic ones.
“So, you know, the elevators come up in the new carriers—I think I’m going to change it, by the way—they have magnets. Every tractor has hydraulic, every excavator, every excavating machine of any kind has hydraulic. But somebody decided to use magnets,” Trump added.
During his address, Trump announced that if re-elected, he would sign an executive order mandating the use of “steam for catapults” and “hydraulics for elevators” in future US aircraft carriers. He even polled the crowd, asking whether they preferred “water or a magnet.”
Observers noted that this is not the first time Trump has made such claims. His comments appear to stem from a long-running conspiracy theory that China manipulated global industries into using magnetic technology.
“You know, China intelligently went and they sort of took a monopoly of the world’s magnets, and nobody needed magnets until they convinced everybody 20 years ago, ‘Let’s all do magnets.’ There were many other ways that the world could have gone,” Trump said.
Experts were quick to debunk Trump’s statements, pointing out that magnetism is a physical property that cannot be “disabled” by water. Magnets remain functional even when submerged, unless affected by corrosion over time.
In reality, modern aircraft carriers have adopted electromagnetic launch systems (EMALS) to replace traditional steam catapults. These systems provide greater precision, smoother acceleration, and improved aircraft handling, making them more efficient and durable than older hydraulic systems.
While hydraulic systems are cheaper upfront, magnetic technology offers better performance and lower long-term maintenance costs. The US Navy has been steadily transitioning to this technology, viewing it as the future of naval aviation.
Trump’s comments quickly went viral on social media, drawing ridicule from scientists, defense experts, and political commentators alike. Critics accused him of spreading misinformation about basic science and defense technology.
However, supporters argued that Trump’s remarks reflect his broader message — pushing back against reliance on advanced technologies that he claims benefit China’s manufacturing dominance.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s speech highlighted his continued influence over defense-related narratives as he campaigns for a political comeback.
