From The Banner · Rick Hutzell · · 1m 20s
Hutzell: Anduril’s coming to Maryland
Trump pledges $6.6 billion shipyard for Maryland submarine production.
In brief
Trump pledges $6.6 billion shipyard for Maryland submarine production. President Trump announced Anduril Industries will build a $6.6 billion submarine shipyard in Baltimore, creating 14,000 jobs and $312 million in wages. Originally reported by The Banner.
Anduril’s Maryland shipyard
President Trump confirmed the Navy will help Anduril Industries build a $6.6 billion shipyard in Baltimore Harbor.
“Right here in Sparrows Point, you’ll build the next generation of American submarines, including autonomous subs, torpedo tubes and critical components for our cutting-edge Virginia-class attack submarines, the greatest and quietest ever built”
Economic impact
Arsenal-2 will create 14,000 construction jobs and $312 million in wages for Maryland.
“An estimated $2 billion will energize the Baltimore region’s economy”
Trump’s speech
Trump promised a 'golden age of shipbuilding' at Tradepoint Atlantic with Anduril.
“Now, with the men and women of Anduril, the workers of Maryland and the warriors of the U.S. Navy, which is just a special, special group, this place will roar with the sound of high-tech manufacturing building ships and submarines that will be feared by our enemies all over the world”
Cognitive dissonance
Trump’s economic promises clash with his history of job losses and policy rollbacks in Maryland.
“It’s the tension I feel as my values clash with this new information”
Anduril’s background
Palmer Luckey founded Anduril after selling Oculus VR to Facebook for $2 billion.
“A self-taught 'boy genius,' he built early virtual reality headsets”
Political ties
Luckey donated $5.9 million to Republican causes and Trump’s campaigns.
“He donated to both Trump campaigns and, since starting Anduril in 2017, has contributed $5.9 million to Republican causes and candidates”
Defense contracts
Trump administration awarded Anduril defense contracts worth up to $1.5 billion.
“The Trump administration has awarded Anduril defense and homeland security contracts potentially worth up to $1.5 billion”
Project Meridian
Luckey named to Pentagon’s Project Meridian with Elon Musk and Newt Gingrich.
“Luckey also was named to Project Meridian, a 120-day Pentagon study on future warfare, with Elon Musk and, strangely, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich”
Cyborg warriors
Anduril launched campaign for 'cyborg warriors for freedom' with signs in Baltimore.
“Who Dares Strike at Liberty? shone from electronic signs in Baltimore on Tuesday”
State response
Maryland will cover 13% of Anduril’s cost and build workforce training center.
“Maryland will kick in 13% of Anduril’s cost, build a workforce training center and ask for federal tax and regulatory relief”
Political conflict
Trump rebuffed Governor Moore over state’s role in shipyard project.
“He rebuffed Moore because the Democratic governor wanted to put his stamp on a boon for Maryland”
In short
President Trump announced Anduril Industries will build a $6.6 billion submarine shipyard in Baltimore, creating 14,000 jobs and $312 million in wages.
