Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again stirred controversy by asserting that America possesses enough nuclear firepower “to blow up the world 150 times.” Speaking in an interview on CBS, Trump defended his earlier call to resume nuclear testing after more than thirty years of suspension, arguing that the U.S. must ensure the effectiveness of its deterrent.
“When you have something so powerful, you need to know it works,” Trump said. “We’re the only country that doesn’t test anymore, and I don’t want to be the only one standing still while others advance.”
The United States has not conducted a full-scale nuclear explosion since 1992, following the end of the Cold War and the global push toward arms control. However, Trump’s comments suggest a possible shift back toward active experimentation, a move that could reignite global tensions.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that any upcoming evaluations would likely remain non-detonative, meaning no actual nuclear explosions would take place. “These are what we call non-critical tests,” Wright told Fox News. “There’s no danger of mushroom clouds or underground blasts.”
Such experiments are usually performed with computer simulations and small-scale experiments that help assess the reliability and lifespan of existing warheads without breaching the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which the U.S. signed but never ratified.
Still, critics warn that even symbolic steps toward renewed testing could unravel decades of global restraint. The Washington Post noted that preparing a live nuclear test would take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, adding to the already massive modernization program of America’s nuclear triad.
Both Russia and China have dismissed Trump’s allegations that they are secretly conducting nuclear tests. Moscow and Beijing’s last confirmed detonations took place in 1990 and 1996 respectively.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia’s recent missile developments, such as the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone, did not involve nuclear testing. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Moscow would only consider resuming such tests if Washington made the first move.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has urged the United States to respect the international moratorium, warning that breaking it could trigger a new nuclear arms race.
Ironically, Trump balanced his remarks by also calling for worldwide denuclearization. “We have more nuclear weapons than anyone,” he said. “Russia has a lot, China will soon have a lot. We should all do something about it.”
Vice President J.D. Vance and several Republican lawmakers have backed Trump’s position, claiming that limited testing is essential for ensuring the reliability of aging stockpiles. Yet arms control experts caution that even “non-critical” testing could undermine global trust and inspire rivals to follow suit.
The renewed nuclear debate comes amid growing geopolitical tensions between the United States, Russia, and China. With Washington pushing to modernize its arsenal and other nuclear states advancing their own deterrent capabilities, the possibility of a new nuclear testing era looms.
Whether Trump’s remarks signal genuine policy intent or political posturing, they have reopened a decades-old question: can the world maintain nuclear peace while its leading powers continue to upgrade the very weapons capable of ending it?