2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/193628A critical review of gravitational wave theory is made. It is pointed out that the usual linear approach to the gravitational wave theory is neither conceptually consistent nor mathematically justified. Relying upon that analysis it is then argued that -- analogously to a Yang-Mills propagating field, which must be nonlinear to carry its gauge charge -- a gravitational wave must necessarily be nonlinear to transport its own charge -- that is, energy-momentum.Plain Latex, 13 pages, no figures. Accepted for publication in Foundations of PhysiscsGeneral Relativity and Quantum CosmologyHigh Energy Physics - Theorytext