Summary: Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. will immediately resume nuclear weapons testing, a practice halted over three decades ago. He also claimed that under his administration, the U.S. nuclear arsenal surpassed Russia’s in size, a statement that has raised questions given the secrecy surrounding such programs.
Trump’s Announcement on Truth Social
On Wednesday night, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he is reinstating nuclear weapons testing in the United States. He stated, “Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.” This marks a significant shift from the longstanding U.S. policy of refraining from nuclear tests.
History of U.S. Nuclear Testing
The United States last conducted a nuclear test on September 23, 1992. Around that time, the production of new nuclear warhead materials was paused, and the testing program was replaced by the Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship program. This program focuses on maintaining the nuclear arsenal’s safety and reliability through scientific methods rather than live testing. Notably, even after China detonated a hydrogen bomb in 1994, the U.S. chose not to resume nuclear testing, reflecting a commitment to arms control in the post-Cold War era.
Claims About U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Size
Trump also claimed on Truth Social that during his first term, he achieved a nuclear build-up that resulted in the U.S. having more nuclear weapons than Russia, which is widely regarded as possessing the largest nuclear arsenal. He wrote, “The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.” However, this assertion has not been publicly verified and contrasts with available intelligence assessments.
Context of Nuclear Modernization Efforts
Trump’s efforts continued initiatives started by President Barack Obama in 2014 to modernize and strengthen the U.S. nuclear arsenal. While Trump expressed intentions to significantly increase the stockpile, the extent and secrecy of any such expansion remain unclear. If the U.S. arsenal has indeed surpassed Russia’s, it would represent a major development in global nuclear dynamics.