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Wright went on to clarify that the tests are designed to ensure “all the other parts of a nuclear weapon deliver the appropriate geometry and set up the nuclear explosion.” In short, the U.S. is testing the mechanisms that would deliver or trigger a warhead — not the warheads themselves.
For over thirty years, America has refrained from any nuclear detonations. The last full-scale test took place on September 23, 1992, at the Nevada Test Site. That experiment, known as “Divider,” marked the end of an era and the beginning of a voluntary moratorium that has lasted more than three decades.
So, despite panic in the press, Trump’s latest directive doesn’t reverse that policy. It simply modernizes America’s readiness in a rapidly changing global security environment.
The timing of Trump’s announcement wasn’t random. It came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin bragged that his nation had tested a nuclear-powered drone called Poseidon and a cruise missile known as Burevestnik. Both are designed to carry nuclear payloads — and both have caused concern among defense experts.
Some Russian media outlets even called the Burevestnik “invincible,” claiming it could fly indefinitely and evade any missile defense system on Earth.
In response, Trump made it clear the United States won’t sit back while adversaries flex their nuclear muscles.
“Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “That process will begin immediately.”
The Kremlin, clearly paying attention, scrambled to downplay the situation. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov quickly denied that Russia had conducted any actual nuclear detonations, insisting their tests were not nuclear in nature.
Still, the timing of Putin’s announcement and Trump’s response sent a clear message: America is watching — and ready.
Wright reminded viewers that America’s nuclear edge doesn’t depend on detonations anymore.
“The testing that we’ll be doing is on new systems,” Wright said. “And again, these will be nonnuclear explosions. These are just developing sophisticated systems so that our replacement nuclear weapons are even better than the ones they were before.”
Thanks to the Stockpile Stewardship Program, U.S. scientists have relied on computer modeling and subcritical tests for decades to ensure our weapons remain safe and effective. These subcritical tests use nuclear materials but stop short of triggering an actual chain reaction — giving scientists all the data they need without the risks.
The Pentagon has quietly conducted more than two dozen of these subcritical experiments since the 1990s, all at the Nevada National Security Site.
The facts speak for themselves: the United States conducted more than 1,000 nuclear tests during the Cold War — more than any other nation on Earth. By comparison, China carried out just 47.
That unparalleled experience gives America an unmatched advantage. The Trump administration’s updated testing plans aren’t about restarting the arms race; they’re about ensuring that advantage stays firmly in American hands.
Trump’s move is less about starting something new — and more about sending a message of strength. As Wright’s calm clarification shows, the U.S. isn’t returning to nuclear detonations. It’s reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the world’s most advanced and reliable nuclear deterrent — without ever needing to push the button.
