Trump Announces U.S. to Restart Nuclear Weapons Testing Immediately
UPDATE: In a dramatic escalation of nuclear tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will restart its nuclear weapons testing program immediately. This declaration comes shortly before his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, and appears to be a direct response to recent Russian nuclear tests.
In a post on Truth Social at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Trump declared, “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.” His announcement follows revelations that Russia has conducted tests of advanced nuclear “superweapons,” including a drone capable of creating devastating tsunamis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently touted the capabilities of these new weapons, claiming, “In terms of speed and operating depth, there is nothing like this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world.” He also highlighted the successful testing of an “unlimited-range” nuclear missile, which he described as a “unique weapon that no other country possesses.”
Trump’s warning serves not only as a response to Russia but also as a reminder of the U.S.’s military strength. He asserted, “We test missiles all the time,” emphasizing the presence of a powerful U.S. nuclear submarine positioned close to Russian shores.
However, Trump’s claim that the U.S. possesses more nuclear weapons than any other nation is misleading. According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia currently holds the largest nuclear warhead inventory, while China continues to expand its own nuclear capabilities.
The implications of restarting nuclear weapons testing are monumental. The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since September 1992, and such a move would violate the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which prohibits testing nuclear weapons. Although the U.S. and China have not ratified the treaty, Russia withdrew its ratification in 2023.
Opposition to Trump’s announcement is already emerging domestically. Rep. Dina Titus (D, Nev.) responded on social media, saying, “Absolutely not. I’ll be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.”
As tensions rise, the world watches closely. The restart of nuclear testing could spark an arms race among the major powers, adding to global instability in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
What happens next is uncertain, but all eyes will be on the upcoming summit with Xi Jinping and how the international community will respond to this latest escalation. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
