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The Big Lies › 2017 › File PF-0051
Unproven

NBC: Trump wanted a 'tenfold' increase in the nuclear arsenal

Citing three officials present, NBC reported that at a July 20, 2017 Pentagon meeting Trump said he wanted a nearly tenfold increase in U.S. nuclear warheads, back toward Cold War peak levels.

First reported Oct 11, 2017 · NBC News
Screenshot of the original report as published
Screenshot of the report as published: nbcnews.com. Tap to open the source.
Who it helped: Democrats

The report portrayed Trump as reckless and ignorant on nuclear weapons.

What was reported

Citing three officials present, NBC reported that at a July 20, 2017 Pentagon meeting Trump said he wanted a nearly tenfold increase in U.S. nuclear warheads, back toward Cold War peak levels.

What actually happened

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued a statement calling the reports absolutely false and calling the reporting erroneous and irresponsible. Trump also denied it. NBC stood by its sourcing, and the claim was never corroborated by any on-record account, document or later official finding. No nuclear expansion of that kind was ever proposed.

The proof

Mattis's on-record Oct. 11, 2017 denial. The report rested only on anonymous accounts and was never independently confirmed.

The receipt. Copy this and paste it anywhere:

NBC: Trump wanted a 'tenfold' increase in the nuclear arsenal — Unproven. Mattis's on-record Oct. 11, 2017 denial. The report rested only on anonymous accounts and was never independently confirmed. Full file: https://www.thepropagandafiles.com/case/nbc-trump-tenfold-nuclear-arsenal/

Original reporting

Corrections, findings & records

Archived copies

Stories get edited after publication. These open the Internet Archive's earliest saved copy of each original.

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