Let's talk about Trump going nuclear and what it might mean....

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Belle of the Ranch 4 min 1 speaker 5 chapters transcribed 1 month ago

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What did Trump claim about restarting U.S. nuclear weapons testing?

Belle of the Ranch 0:01

Well, howdy there internet people it spell again. So today we're going to talk about Trump going nuclear and what this means. Trump made a statement on the US nuclear arsenal and said he directed DOD to start testing again. Something the US hasn't done since nineteen ninety two, and the winding down of the Cold War. This is exactly what he said. Quote. The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons during my first term in office. Because at the tremendous destructive power, I hated to do it, but had no choice.

Is the United States actually the world’s biggest nuclear arsenal?

Belle of the Ranch 0:49

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years. Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President Donald J. Trump. Okay, it's Trump. So let's start with the basic fact check. The US has more nukes than any other country.

How does the podcast fact‑check Trump’s statements about nuclear stockpiles?

Belle of the Ranch 1:23

Nope, false. Russia actually has more, but the US legitimately doesn't need more. When it comes to nukes, once you've reached the level capable of significantly disrupting human civilization, you really don't need more. Remember, it's a deterrent. I'm not sure what he's saying was accomplished, since we don't actually have the most, unless we added a sizable amount in secret, and Trump is posting state secrets on social media. But the modernizations started under Obama. China will not pool even with the US within five years, unless it produces about a thousand weapons a year for each of those five years. In the last two years, they've made about a hundred. Other countries tested nukes.

What are the implications of ordering the Department of War to resume nuclear testing?

Belle of the Ranch 2:16

I'm not a hundred percent sure what he means here. But I have an idea, and we'll come back to this. Just as a point of clarification, none of the countries he's listed has tested a nuke since before the turn of the century. He ordered the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons. Cool. Well, I'm sure they'll call the Department of Energy and get that started. Specifically, they'll need to reach out to the National Nuclear Security Administration, which Trump will remember as the place he keeps cutting and furloughing. As an aside, he's also going to want to beef the Office of Secure Transport back up. So

How might Trump’s nuclear comments affect U.S. deterrence and global security?

Belle of the Ranch 3:03

What prompted Trump to reduce the US to the level of North Korea? I'm recording this early, so I can celebrate Halloween. And all of the details aren't out yet. But my guess is that Trump heard that Russia tested a nuclear powered missile, or maybe a nuclear capable torpedo, and legitimately didn't understand what he was told. Overreacted, and accidentally told the world that the President of the United States doesn't know which agency controls the nukes. Or which country has the most? Or that that isn't a metric for deterrence. Honestly, Trump's post was more damaging to US deterrence than a nuclear powered missile in Russian hands. But hey. Congrats to Russia for mastering tech the US realized was unnecessary and abandoned in the nineteen sixties.

Belle of the Ranch 4:01

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

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