In a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, former US President Donald Trump took a strong stance in favor of global nuclear disarmament. His call for the “denuking of everything” suggests a promising shift in tone and demonstrates his willingness to engage in constructive dialogue on the pressing issue of nuclear disarmament.
During the interview, Trump said, “We have to get rid of nuclear weapons, you know. One of the things I was going to do, and I would have done, is the denuking of everything – the denuclearization of everything – because you have to take them away. You have to get rid of them. And Russia would have done it, and China would have.”
In addition to emphasizing the importance of denuclearization, Trump’s assertion that Russia and China would have been willing to participate in such an endeavor is a significant claim. By expressing his belief in the cooperation of these major powers, Trump highlights the potential for international collaboration and underscores the need for a unified global effort in addressing this existential threat.
Trump’s comments on the Full Send Podcast are being applauded for their optimism and forward-looking approach to the nuclear issue. His willingness to discuss the issue of denuclearization in a casual setting, like a podcast, could allow for a more accessible conversation, reaching a broader audience and fostering public engagement on this crucial topic.
The former president’s comments come as a surprise to some, given his previous statements and actions in relation to nuclear weapons. During his tenure, the Trump administration was responsible for the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia.
Hopefully Trump’s positive remarks on denuclearization have captured the attention of disarmament advocates who will capitalize on his support for the issue to further entrench it among his supporters.
Whether or not the former president’s words will have any tangible impact on international disarmament efforts remains to be seen. The road to global denuclearization is fraught with challenges, but Trump’s recent statements contribute to the chorus of voices advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Image by Andrew Kuznetsov is licensed under CC BY 2.0