Trump orders nuclear weapons trials after Russia tests

Derek Wallbank, Bloomberg News on Oct 29, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President Donald Trump said the U.S. would accelerate its nuclear weapons testing, after Russia in recent days announced trials of a nuclear-powered underwater drone and nuclear-capable cruise missile.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump said in a social media post. “That process will begin immediately.”

Russia has accelerated testing of so-called nuclear superweapons in recent weeks, as Trump’s efforts to broker ceasefire talks with Ukraine have faltered. The advanced nuclear weapons are designed to bypass missile defense systems.

Earlier this week, Trump said a missile test championed by Vladimir Putin was “not appropriate” and that the Russian president should focus on ending the war with Ukraine.

Trump announced his intention to increase nuclear weapons testing hours before he was set to meet with China’s Xi Jinping. Trump has previously expressed interest in brokering a nuclear treaty with China to reduce nuclear stockpiles, though the Chinese have resisted the U.S. president’s pitch to join nonproliferation talks.

The U.S.’s last nuclear explosive test was in 1992, though it continues to test delivery systems — including intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarines, and bombers — with mock weapons.

On Monday, Trump brushed off security concerns over Russia’s tests by noting the U.S. had a nuclear submarine “right off their shores.”

“We test missiles all the time,” he added.