Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on global denuclearization, warning that the unchecked expansion of nuclear stockpiles poses a severe threat to global security. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Institute’s Priority Summit in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, Trump called for urgent measures to prevent nuclear proliferation, emphasizing the catastrophic impact of an all-out nuclear war.
Addressing a gathering of top government officials, diplomats, and business leaders, Trump stated that the United States and Russia maintain the largest nuclear arsenals, with over 5,000 warheads each, while China, currently possessing around 500, is expected to expand its nuclear capabilities significantly in the coming years.
“I was in serious discussions with President [Vladimir] Putin about denuclearization,” Trump revealed. “We were making real progress before COVID-19 disrupted many things. Russia and the U.S. hold the largest nuclear stockpiles, and while China isn’t close, they will be in a few years. I also had discussions with President Xi about reducing nuclear threats, and we were making significant strides in bringing smaller nuclear powers on board.”
Expressing grave concerns about the destructive power of modern nuclear weapons, Trump warned that the scale of potential devastation far surpasses historical events.
“You look at Hiroshima and Nagasaki—multiply that destruction by 500 times, and the world ceases to exist,” he cautioned. “If these weapons are ever used, the planet will be destroyed. We cannot allow any country, including Iran, to expand their nuclear capabilities. The sheer power of today’s weaponry means total annihilation if a nuclear war breaks out.”
Beyond nuclear threats, Trump took aim at the previous U.S. administration, accusing it of reckless financial expenditures in international aid and governance programs. He criticized USAID and other U.S. agencies for allegedly misallocating billions of dollars to overseas projects with little benefit to the American people.
“I would love to meet the consultant who got paid $520 million for environmental, social, and governance investments in Africa,” Trump quipped. “We have terminated all these scams. Over the past month, we have effectively eliminated USAID, which was responsible for much of this waste. We also shut down the out-of-control CFPB. The question now is: did any of that money find its way back into the hands of those who authorized it? We’ll find out soon enough.”
When asked to describe the United States in three words, Trump responded: “Love, respect, and strength,” before adding, “That may have been the toughest question of the day.”
As nuclear tensions remain high with ongoing conflicts and geopolitical rivalries, Trump’s remarks highlight a critical global debate on nuclear disarmament, military strength, and international security.
