U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed new details of a major defense initiative dubbed the Golden Dome, a missile shield system aimed at protecting the United States from global and space-based threats.
The announcement came during a White House briefing where Trump confirmed an initial $25 billion funding allocation. He indicated that the project’s total cost could rise to $175 billion, underlining its strategic importance to national security. Trump stated that the selected architecture for the system was designed to intercept threats launched from anywhere in the world — including outer space.
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The project will be spearheaded by U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein. Trump also noted Canada’s interest in participating, citing shared concerns about future threats. The Golden Dome is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, though it aims to defend against more advanced missile systems, including intercontinental and hypersonic missiles.
Trump described the system as a “next-generation” shield that would operate across land, sea, and space. It will involve space-based sensors and interceptors, setting it apart from previous defense frameworks.
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While Trump emphasized the shield’s defensive nature, critics have raised alarms. Both Russia and China condemned the plan, warning that it could spark an arms race and lead to the militarization of space. The Chinese and Russian governments described the proposal as destabilizing and potentially provocative.
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office previously estimated that a similar space-based system could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over two decades, depending on its scope and technology.