In a stunning escalation that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, former U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the Department of War to “immediately” begin preparations for renewed nuclear testing — a move that experts warn could unravel decades of global disarmament efforts and ignite a new arms race. The order, which multiple insiders say was issued during a tense closed-door briefing, has triggered widespread concern from world leaders and scientists alike.
According to three senior officials who spoke anonymously to foreign correspondents, Trump’s directive came after a heated exchange with defense analysts over what he called the “deceptive advantage” of foreign nuclear programs. “We’re not playing games anymore,” Trump allegedly said during the meeting. “If other countries are testing, so will we. Start it — immediately.”
The statement reportedly stunned even his closest aides, with one describing the room as “dead silent.” Another insider told political reporters that Trump “slammed his fist on the table” and accused intelligence officials of “downplaying” recent Russian and Chinese nuclear activities. “He said America needs to prove it’s still the superpower — not a spectator,” the source added.
“BREAKING: Trump orders U.S. Dept of War to resume nuclear testing ‘immediately.’ Global leaders on edge.” @PopBase
If confirmed, this would mark the first time the United States has conducted a live nuclear test since 1992, when the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty effectively ended all major detonations. Though the U.S. signed the treaty, it never formally ratified it — a loophole that Trump appears ready to exploit.
Military officials told investigative reporters that preliminary discussions are already underway about potential test sites, with the Nevada National Security Site being the most likely location. “This isn’t theoretical anymore,” one Pentagon official said. “He wants a visible test — something the world can’t ignore.”
The directive has sparked panic across international communities. Within hours of the report breaking, Russia’s defense ministry reportedly placed its strategic missile units on heightened alert, while China condemned the move as “reckless provocation.” The European Union released an emergency statement urging Washington to “exercise restraint” and “reaffirm its commitment to non-proliferation.”
“Russia warns of ‘serious consequences’ if the U.S. resumes nuclear testing.” @PopTingz
Back in Washington, lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy called the decision “madness in slow motion,” while Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski urged “caution and verification before escalation.” Even some within Trump’s own circle have reportedly voiced concerns about the potential fallout — both literal and political.
“It’s not 1955 anymore,” said a senior military analyst who spoke with international press. “A live nuclear test would shatter decades of global stability and invite retaliation — or imitation — from adversaries.”
Trump’s supporters, however, have praised the move as a show of strength. On Truth Social, the former president reposted several messages from loyalists calling him “the only leader with the guts to reassert American dominance.” One user wrote, “The world has forgotten who we are — Trump is reminding them.”
Meanwhile, anti-nuclear organizations and scientists are sounding the alarm. “This decision would be catastrophic for global safety,” warned Dr. Hannah Lowe of the United Nations Disarmament Office. “It could collapse international trust and trigger a domino effect of tests by other nuclear states. Once that starts, it’s impossible to stop.”
“UN officials warn that Trump’s nuclear testing order could ‘undo half a century of disarmament.’” @buzzingpop
Environmental experts have also raised urgent concerns about radioactive contamination. A report from the environmental monitoring group Greenpeace noted that the Nevada site — which hosted over 900 detonations during the Cold War — still contains high levels of radiation that could spread if testing resumes. “The environmental scars of nuclear testing never healed,” said Greenpeace researcher Elena Prado. “Reopening those wounds would be devastating.”
Adding to the controversy, insiders claim Trump directly bypassed the Department of Energy and instructed the Department of War — a Cold War-era name for the Department of Defense that he reportedly revived internally for “symbolic” reasons — to take command of the program. “He wanted it to sound powerful,” one aide said. “He thinks ‘Defense’ sounds weak.”
According to multiple accounts, Trump’s order came after receiving classified intelligence suggesting that Moscow and Beijing may have conducted small-scale underground nuclear tests in violation of treaty norms. While the findings remain unverified, sources say the revelation deeply angered Trump, leading to his explosive directive. “He felt the U.S. was being made to look naïve,” a senior defense official told journalists. “He said, ‘We’re not sitting back anymore.’”
“‘Start it immediately,’ Trump reportedly said, after briefing on Russian and Chinese test data.” @etnow
World leaders have begun holding emergency talks in response. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an urgent session, while NATO allies are privately scrambling to assess whether the move is reversible. French President Emmanuel Macron called the order “deeply destabilizing,” and Germany’s foreign minister described it as “a potential breaking point for global peace.”
Inside the United States, protests have already begun outside the White House and Pentagon, with demonstrators holding signs reading “NO NEW NUKES” and “DON’T TEST OUR FUTURE.” Veteran activists from the Ploughshares Fund say they’re mobilizing a nationwide campaign to block the move through Congress.
Despite the uproar, Trump appears unbothered. During an impromptu appearance outside his Florida estate, he briefly addressed reporters, saying, “America’s enemies understand one thing — strength. We’re going to be stronger than ever.” When asked whether that meant nuclear testing would begin soon, Trump smiled and replied, “You’ll see very soon.”
As analysts warn of a new nuclear era, one question now looms over Washington: will the U.S. truly restart nuclear detonations after more than 30 years of silence — and what might follow if it does? “The world is holding its breath,” said Dr. Lowe. “Because once that first mushroom cloud rises again, the world we know changes forever.”