Trump Signals Possible Return to Nuclear Testing

News Desk 

Washington: President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States will resume nuclear testing “like other countries,” while also confirming he is considering a potential deal to supply Saudi Arabia with F-35 fighter jets, Reuters reported.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Florida, Trump declined to clarify whether the plans involve detonating a nuclear warhead. “I don’t want to tell you about that, but we will do nuclear testing like other countries,” he said.

Last month, Trump ordered the US military to immediately restart the nuclear weapons testing process after a 33-year halt, announcing the directive on Truth Social while flying aboard Marine One to a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

F-35 Sale Under Consideration

Trump also confirmed he is weighing a Saudi request to purchase F-35 stealth fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

“They wanna buy a lot of jets,” Trump told reporters. “I’m looking at that… They want to buy a lot of ‘35’, but actually more than that, fighter jets.”

His comments come ahead of a scheduled White House visit next week by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which both sides are expected to sign economic and defence agreements.

Bloomberg News, citing a White House official, reported on Friday that Trump and the crown prince are expected to reach an agreement allowing Riyadh to acquire the F-35s. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report.

The New York Times reported on Thursday that a Pentagon intelligence assessment raised concerns the sale could risk China gaining access to sensitive F-35 technology.

Trump Threatens Legal Action Against BBC

Trump also said he plans to take legal action next week against the BBC over a 2024 “Panorama” documentary his lawyers have called defamatory.

The broadcaster apologised to the president on Thursday for the way it edited a clip of his January 6, 2021 speech but rejected claims of defamation.

“While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree that there is a basis for a defamation claim,” it said in a statement.

Trump’s lawyers have demanded the BBC withdraw the documentary and apologise, threatening damages of up to $1 billion for alleged “financial and reputational harm.”

— Reporting by Reuters