Trump instructs Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China
CNN18 hrs
Trump Orders Resumption of Nuclear Weapons Testing
Above: Donald Trump speaks to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on Oct. 29, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's reckless order threatens to unravel decades of nonproliferation efforts and spark a dangerous new arms race. The impulsive command, issued on social media during a diplomatic trip, echoes Cold War madness and ignores expert consensus that computer modeling renders actual detonations unnecessary. This dangerous escalation could trigger similar tests worldwide, shatter decades of international restraint and destroy the fragile framework that has prevented nuclear proliferation since the Cold War.
Pro-Trump narrative
Resuming nuclear testing is a necessary response to Russia and China's aggressive weapons programs that threaten American security. Putin's recent tests of exotic delivery systems and China's rapid expansion of its arsenal demand a strong deterrent signal. Maintaining nuclear parity protects the nation when adversaries refuse to respect arms control limits. This isn't provocation — it's responsibility. After voluntary halts left the U.S. vulnerable, resuming ensures credible deterrence, prevents conflicts and upholds U.S. dominance without apology.