Trump Announces U.S. Will Resume Nuclear Weapons Testing

Former President Donald Trump announced today that the United States will “immediately” begin testing its nuclear weapons, raising concerns about a renewed arms race.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country.” He claimed the U.S. arsenal was significantly updated during his first term in office and asserted he “had no choice” given their destructive potential. Trump further warned that China could potentially match the U.S. nuclear stockpile within the next five years. This move reverses a long-standing moratorium on such testing, which many international observers believe is crucial for preventing proliferation.

The announcement comes as the federal government grapples with a continuing shutdown, now in its 30th day, with a new poll revealing rising public anxiety. Three-quarters of Americans express worry over the shutdown, a significant increase from two-thirds at the beginning of the month, and 45% place blame on President Trump and congressional Republicans. For more on the impact of government shutdowns, see resources from the USA.gov website.

Elsewhere, at least 28 people have died across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, with Haiti bearing the brunt of the fatalities. Retailers across the nation are also facing challenges due to the earlier-this-year cessation of penny production, leading to coin shortages and creative promotional efforts to encourage customers to provide exact change. Public opinion also continues to shift away from seasonal time changes, with a recent AP-NORC poll showing only 12% support for the current practice; 56% favor permanent daylight saving time.

Officials have stated they are reviewing the legal and strategic implications of Trump’s announcement regarding nuclear testing, and further details are expected in the coming days.