President Donald Trump has confirmed plans to resume U.S. nuclear testing and is weighing a potential F-35 fighter jet deal with Saudi Arabia, while also threatening legal action against the BBC over a controversial documentary.
President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. will resume nuclear testing “like other countries,” though he did not clarify whether this would involve detonating a nuclear warhead.
The announcement follows Trump’s surprise directive last month to immediately restart U.S. nuclear weapons testing after a 33-year pause. He made the announcement via Truth Social while traveling to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
F-35 fighter jets deal with Saudi Arabia
Trump confirmed that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in purchasing a substantial number of F-35 stealth fighter jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
“They want to buy a lot of jets,” Trump said. “I’m looking at that. They want to buy a lot of ‘35’ – but actually more than that, fighter jets.”
The potential sale is expected to be discussed during a White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week, where economic and defense agreements may be signed.
A Pentagon intelligence report has raised concerns that the sale could risk China acquiring F-35 technology, according to The New York Times.
Trump also addressed ongoing legal matters with the BBC, stating he plans to sue the British broadcaster next week. The dispute stems from a “Panorama” documentary aired before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which spliced three segments of his January 6, 2021, speech to imply he incited violence.
Though the BBC issued a personal apology and said the editing was an “error of judgement,” it denied any basis for a defamation claim. Trump’s lawyers demanded a retraction, compensation, and an apology, threatening damages of up to $1 billion.
