Trump Unveils $175 Billion “Golden Dome” Missile Defense Project
President Donald Trump has announced the launch of a sweeping new missile defense initiative called the “Golden Dome,” a $175 billion project designed to intercept threats from across the globe—and even from space—by the end of his current term in 2029.
“I’m proud to announce that we’ve officially selected a design for this state-of-the-art system,” Trump said on May 20. “It will deploy next-generation technologies on land, at sea, and in space—including space-based sensors and interceptors.”
According to Trump, the Golden Dome will be capable of neutralizing missiles launched from the other side of the planet—and potentially those originating in space.
“This will be the most advanced system ever built,” he declared. “Golden Dome will shield our homeland. Canada has already expressed interest in joining.”
Trump named Gen. Michael Guetlein, current deputy commander for operations at the U.S. Space Force, as the head of the Golden Dome project. He also linked the initiative to former President Ronald Reagan’s long-ambitious “Star Wars” missile defense program, which never materialized due to technological limitations at the time.
Analysts say the Golden Dome concept draws clear inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome—a ground-based missile interceptor system—but on a far more expansive scale. Trump’s version would reportedly include a constellation of surveillance and strike satellites capable of shooting down incoming missiles post-launch.
Despite the fanfare, experts remain skeptical about the timeline and cost estimates. While Trump projects a total cost of $175 billion, a prior estimate from the U.S. Congressional Budget Office suggested the system could reach $831 billion and take up to 20 years to complete.
Tom Karako, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said the project could be completed within a decade—especially if the U.S. leverages existing missile defense infrastructure along with Silicon Valley’s tech expertise.
“This kind of automated defense in the space age is likely to involve more Silicon Valley software firms than traditional defense contractors,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “What’s exciting is that a wide range of players could compete to be part of it.”
Funding for the project remains uncertain. While some Republican lawmakers have proposed an initial $25 billion investment as part of a broader $150 billion spending package, the measure is facing significant hurdles in Congress.
(Sources: AFP, Reuters, AP)
