Thursday, August 20, 2026

But Apparently The News Yesterday…

President Donald J. Trump disclosed today that North Korea possesses "57 very powerful nuclear weapons," adding that the arsenal "shouldn't have been allowed to happen." The figure is notable because the U.S. government does not publicly disclose a precise number for North Korea's nuclear stockpile; outside estimates have generally placed it in the roughly 50–90 warhead range.

The disclosure comes days after Trump ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce U.S.-South Korean military exercises, arguing that the drills are too costly and send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea, which he described as "unthreatening and respectful."

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise subsequently began but was shortened by six days, with Seoul announcing that it would conclude Friday rather than continue through its originally scheduled period.

Trump has also said he intends to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, potentially marking another effort to revive the diplomacy that stalled after the 2019 Hanoi summit.
… was that Trump ranted about granite and ballrooms and drones. How many people in the punditocracy know that “the U.S. government does not publicly disclose a precise number for North Korea's nuclear stockpile”?

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