US tests Minuteman NUKE-capable missiles just hours before Trump declares victory in US election
THE US military has tested the Minuteman nuke just hours before Trump declared victory in a how of strength.
The hyper-sonic nuke missile was launched from Vandenberg AFB after all of the ballots closed.
Some Americans expressed concerns about the nuclear weapon launching in the same day as the election, however military officials claim the test run was planned well in advance.
Col. Bryan Titus, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander, said: ‘This test launch marks the start of a remarkable week for our Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg, with two test launches scheduled from the Western Range."
"These tests hold immense significance, not only for our nation's defense but also serve as a pivotal moment in showcasing the exceptional capabilities and expertise of our dedicated team."
The missile is travelling 4,000 miles from California’s Vandenberg Space Force to Kwajalein Atoll, a small island in the North pacific.
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It can reach speeds of more than 15,000 miles per hour, allowing it to hit any target in a 30 minute time frame.
America's Arms Race
There are around 400 of the missiles in the US inventory and can be controlled from airborne command posts in the event of war.
Its seaborne nuclear forces are carried in the US Navy’s Ohio Class long-range submarines, known as boomers.
They are stealthy and can launch nuclear missile strikes and are considered a key strategic deterrent.
The submarines are equipped with Trident II D-5 missiles and are split between bases at Bangor, Washington, and King’s Bay, Georgia
They represents one leg of the US nuclear “triad,” along with the Air Force’s long-range B-2 and B-52 bombers, which carry nuclear capable cruise missiles.
The nuclear missile test was conducted just hours before Donald Trump sensationally claimed victory in the 2024 election.
Trump described his campaign as "the greatest political movement of all time" during a triumphant speech to supporters.
Speaking at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Trump vowed to help America "heal" and said there was a lot of "love"; in the room.
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Trump completed a stunning victory after weeks of polls suggesting it would be a neck-and-neck race.
The former president took what appears to be an unassailable lead over the presidential nominee and Vice President early on Wednesday morning.
Fox News declared Trump the winner after the network called Wisconsin for the former president, pushing him over the 270 Electoral College votes required to clinch .
The new president-elect thanked his "beautiful" wife Melania and gave her a kiss on the cheek - saying she did "a great job".
His Vice President pick JD Vance described Trump's win as "the greatest political comeback of all time".
Trump also paid tribute to his ally Elon Musk who has been a fixture during the campaign - dubbing him a "super genius".
He said: "We have a new star - a star is born, Elon [Musk]!
"He is an amazing guy, we were sitting together tonight. He spent two weeks in Philadelphia and different parts of Pennsylvania campaigning."
Speaking about watching a rocket launch, Trump said: "That's why I love you, Elon."
It comes as...
- Donald Trump took to the stage in Florida to celebrate his election as the 47th President of the United States.
- JD Vance said the victory is the "greatest political comeback in American history."
- Kamala Harris refused to speak to the media as Trump took the lead.
- Harris' team said the Vice President will speak on Wednesday.
- Trump won battleground states Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, according to the .
- Trump's team started to celebrate early with a chant when he won North Carolina.
- Republicans took control of the Senate after Ted Cruz was re-elected in Texas.
- Firefighters were forced to help recount 30,000 votes when polls faced election night chaos.
Fans of the Republican nominee gathered outside the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Trump bagged sweeping gains with a projected win in swing state North Carolina and Georgia before 1am local time.
The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for him moments before he stepped on stage just after 2am ET.
North Carolina and Georgia both offer 16 electoral college votes, with 19 in vital Pennsylvania.
Trump needed 23 electoral college votes from the remaining swing states, while Harris needed 60 to hit the finish line of 270.
Winning Pennsylvania took him to just three votes shy of his target after bagging one in Maine - all but guaranteeing his path to the White House.
Just under 200,000 votes are still to be counted - but Trump holds a strong lead of an unbelievable 120,903.
Trump - who beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 before losing to Biden four years ago - will be the first president in more than a century to serve nonconsecutive terms.
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His presidency and ventures since have been marred by controversy, with the businessman caught up in a series of scandals and legal battles.
Trump was twice impeached by Congress, but acquitted, and has been hauled through the courts over the January 6 Capitol riots and allegations of sexual harassment.
What is the Electoral College?
And why swing states are important.
- he Electoral College is the body of 538 electors divided among the states who select the next president of the United States.
- To become president, a candidate must win a majority of 270 electoral votes.
- Every state is assigned one elector for each of its House representatives and two additional electors for the state's senators.
- In 48 states, a presidential candidate will be awarded all the electors in a state if they win the state's popular vote.
- Two states, Nebraska and Maine, are outliers, awarding two electoral votes to the state's popular vote winner, and awarding one electoral vote to the winner of each of the state's congressional districts.
- Sometimes, electors vote against the state's popular vote winner, becoming known as "faithless electors."
- Many states will be virtual shoo-ins for the Democratic candidate (such as New York and California) or the Republican candidate (such as Texas and Missouri), while a minority are genuinely up for grabs by either candidate.
- These states, known as purple or swing states, are the main targets for presidential candidates.
- In 2024, those states are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
