Donald Trump touted the immense power of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, claiming it could “blow up the world 150 times,” as he announced a new order to resume testing. The former president claimed the move was a response to secret tests by China and Russia.
“We have more nuclear weapons than any other country,” Trump said in a CBS interview. He also claimed on social media that this arsenal was “completely updated and renovated” during his first term.
Despite this claimed superiority, Trump insisted the U.S. must resume testing. “I have instructed the Department of War to start testing… on an equal basis,” he posted, citing “other countries testing programs.”
China, one of the nations he accused, issued a strong denial. The foreign ministry stated that China is a “responsible nuclear-weapons state” and has honored its commitment to suspend testing.
Trump’s order has caused confusion over its scope and comes amid heightened tensions following a new Russian missile test.