The United States will move to resume nuclear testing in line with other global powers, President Donald Trump said on Friday, offering limited details on what such testing would involve.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump declined to specify whether potential tests would include the detonation of a nuclear warhead. He instead emphasized that the U.S. would conduct testing “like other countries,” framing the decision as part of a broader reassessment of America’s strategic posture.
The comments follow Trump’s order last month directing the U.S. military to restart the nuclear testing process after a 33-year pause. That directive was issued unexpectedly on Truth Social during a Marine One flight to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, where the two leaders were scheduled for trade discussions.
Trump also signaled he is weighing a potential agreement to supply Saudi Arabia with F-35 stealth fighter jets, a request he said the kingdom has pressed repeatedly. The jets, produced by Lockheed Martin, are among the most advanced in the U.S. arsenal.
Trump noted that Saudi Arabia was seeking to purchase a substantial number of aircraft, and he is considering the proposal as the White House prepares to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week. The two leaders are expected to sign a series of economic and defense agreements during the visit.
Reports on Friday indicated the F-35 deal may already be nearing completion, though independent verification was not immediately available.
Amid these developments, Trump said he intends to initiate legal action against the BBC next week over a 2024 “Panorama” documentary his lawyers have labeled defamatory.
The BBC issued an apology for the editing of a video clip of Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech but maintains there is no basis for a defamation claim, disputing the president’s demand for damages.
