Trump says Pentagon will build weapons testing 'super range' in Montana
President Donald Trump told a rally in Kalispell, Montana, on Wednesday that the Pentagon will build a new "super range" to test advanced weapons. Fox News reported that he did not say where the range would go. Montana Public Radio said no official details had been released.
President Donald Trump announced at a campaign rally in Kalispell, Montana, on Wednesday night that the Pentagon will set up a new "super range" in the state to test advanced weapons, Fox News and Montana Public Radio reported.
"I'm pleased to inform you and announce that right here in Montana, the Department of War is going to establish a new super range for testing advanced weapons and technologies," Trump told supporters at the Majestic Valley Arena, according to both outlets. He said the range could test autonomous weapons, space and electronic warfare technology, and supersonic and hypersonic systems.
Trump did not say where in Montana the range would be, how much it would cost or when testing would start, Fox News reported. Montana Public Radio said no official details had been released.
Trump credited Montana's Republican lawmakers for pushing for the project, joking that Sen. Tim Sheehy "would drive me crazy," Fox News reported. "The rest of our country maybe won't be thrilled because a lot of other people wanted it also," Trump said.
Sheehy said in a statement Thursday that the 2027 defense policy bill, which has not had a full Senate vote, includes $10 million to study an advanced training range in Montana, the nonprofit Montana Free Press reported. Montana Democratic Party chair Bruce Knutson criticized the plan for its lack of detail. "Montana is not an empty patch of ground for Washington to do whatever it pleases," he said, according to the Free Press.
Trump was in Montana to campaign for House candidate Aaron Flint and Senate candidate Kurt Alme ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, both outlets said. The Secret Service estimated about 5,000 people attended inside and outside the arena, Montana Public Radio reported. Fox News said it was Trump's second rally of the day, after a stop in Arizona.
What we know: Trump says the Pentagon will build a weapons testing range in Montana, and a Senate bill includes $10 million to study one, the Montana Free Press reported.
What we don't: Where the range would be, what it would cost and when it would open.
Where outlets agree Fox News and Montana Public Radio both report that Trump announced a Montana weapons testing range without giving a location.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.