Trump Unveils $175 Billion “Golden Dome” Missile Defense System

US President Donald Trump has outlined his vision for a new missile defense system, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” which would include deploying space-based sensors and interceptors to protect the country from foreign missile threats. Speaking from the White House, Trump said he had “officially selected an architecture” for the system, designed to take down “hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles.” According to Trump, the Golden Dome would be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world or from space.

“We will have the best system ever built,” Trump claimed, adding that the system would be “fully operational before the end of my term” and would cost approximately $175 billion. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the space-based components alone could cost as much as $542 billion over the next 20 years. Trump confirmed that he was seeking $25 billion for the system in a tax cut bill currently moving through Congress.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hailed the plan as a “game changer” and a “generational investment in security of America and Americans.” General Michael Guetlein, vice chief of space operations at Space Force, will manage the program. Trump cited inspiration from Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense system and the late President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative.

Questions have been raised about the viability of a space-based defense system, its price, and whether it could ignite a new arms race. Democrats have questioned the possible involvement of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which is a frontrunner among technology companies seeking to build key components of the system. A group of 42 Democratic lawmakers has called for a probe into Musk’s role in the bidding process, citing concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

“I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack,” Trump said. “Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they’re launched from space.”