Enough Nukes To Blow Up World 150 Times’: Trump as he doubles down on nuclear testing
Defending his position, Trump pointed to ongoing nuclear developments in China, Russia, and North Korea. His post came soon after reports surfaced that Russia had tested its “unlimited-range” Burevestnik missile.
PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump has justified his decision to restart nuclear testing, saying that Washington cannot be the only nation exercising restraint while Russia, China, and North Korea continue advancing their weapons programs. He also noted that the United States already possesses enough nuclear weapons “to blow up the world 150 times.”
Speaking to CBS’s 60 Minutes, Trump said the US “cannot be the only country that doesn’t conduct tests,” despite its massive nuclear arsenal. Just hours before his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump took to Truth Social to announce that he had instructed the Department of Defense to “immediately” begin nuclear testing.
Defending his position, Trump pointed to ongoing nuclear developments in China, Russia, and North Korea. His post came soon after reports surfaced that Russia had tested its “unlimited-range” Burevestnik missile.
“We have more nuclear weapons than any other country. And I think we should do something about denuclearisation. I discussed that with both President Putin and President Xi. We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world 150 times. Russia has a lot of nuclear weapons, and China will have a lot," Trump said.
He added that the US should not be the only nation refraining from tests.
“You know, you do have to—and the reason I’m saying testing is because Russia announced they were going to do a test. North Korea’s testing constantly. Other countries are testing. We’re the only country that doesn’t test, and I don’t want to be the only country that doesn’t test," he said.
The president also emphasized that the US, unlike its rivals, is an “open society” that discusses such issues publicly.
“We’re different. We talk about it. We have to talk about it — otherwise you people (the media) will report on it. They don’t have reporters writing about these things. We do,” he said.