Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ restart nuclear weapons testing to compete with Russia, China’s arsenals

President Trump has made a bold and controversial decision to order the military to resume nuclear weapons testing in response to the increasing arsenals of Russia and China. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump announced that the Department of War has been instructed to begin testing nuclear weapons immediately.

This move marks a significant departure from the US policy of refraining from nuclear testing since 1992. The voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing has been a cornerstone of US nuclear policy for decades, but Trump’s decision signals a shift in approach.

While Russia and China have not publicly acknowledged recent nuclear tests, there have been reports of low-grade weapons tests by China. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also hinted at the possibility of future weapons tests involving nuclear explosions.

Trump justified his decision by pointing out that the US has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, thanks to updates and renovations made during his first term in office. He expressed concern about the growing capabilities of Russia and China, warning that China could surpass the US in nuclear weapons within five years.

The president’s use of nuclear weapons has been a sensitive topic, with Trump referring to them as “the N-word” during his 2024 campaign. He credited his late uncle, MIT professor John Trump, for teaching him about the immense power of nuclear weapons.

This announcement comes just ahead of Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The meeting is expected to address a range of issues, including nuclear arms control and strategic stability.

As this story continues to develop, stay tuned for updates on this significant shift in US nuclear policy.