Trump Launches $175 Billion Golden Dome Missile Shield

President Donald Trump has initiated the Golden Dome for America, a comprehensive missile defense shield designed to protect the continental United States, Canada, and other potential territories from drones and intercontinental ballistic missiles. The president announced that the system would be fully operational by the end of his term at a cost of $175 billion, following an initial $25 billion appropriation by Congress in July.

Managed by the United States Department of Defense—which is being renamed the Department of War—the system will integrate lasers, radar arrays, and both ground- and space-based interceptors. General Michael Guetlein was tasked with presenting the program architecture within 60 days, and the agency targets the first major test for the fourth quarter of 2028.

Despite the administration's cost estimates, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the interceptor constellation alone could cost $831 billion over 20 years, with some experts suggesting the total cost may exceed $1 trillion. Critics have raised concerns regarding transparency, noting that the program is exempt from standard "fly before you buy" rules. Additionally, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth prohibited officials from discussing the project at the annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium.