“Start Testing”: Trump’s Vague Nuclear Order Baffles Observers

Widespread confusion has followed a social media post from Donald Trump in which he instructed the “Department ofWar” to “start testing.” This vague directive has baffled observers, who are unclear on its precise meaning or implications for the U.S. moratorium on nuclear explosions, which has been in place since 1992.
The core ambiguity lies in whether Trump is calling for computational modeling or a return to physical detonations. The latter would be a major shift in U.S. policy and a significant escalation in global nuclear posturing.
Trump defended the need for the order by accusing other global powers of violating their own testing commitments. In a recent interview, he claimed, “Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it.” He suggested these tests were “way underground” and thus difficult to detect.
This allegation drew a swift and sharp denial from Beijing. China’s foreign ministry pushed back strongly, with a spokesperson asserting that the nation is “responsible” and has consistently “abided by its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.”
The context for this directive includes Trump’s recent boasts about the U.S. having the world’s largest nuclear arsenal. It also follows reports of Russia conducting a successful test of a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, further heightening international tensions.