Trump Unveils $175 Billion ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense Shield to Counter China and Russia

In a high-profile announcement from the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump revealed that he has finalized a design for the ambitious $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

Aimed at countering potential threats from China and Russia, the program is a central piece of Trump’s strategic military vision, and is set to be spearheaded by U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein.

The Golden Dome initiative, first ordered by Trump in January, envisions a vast satellite-based shield — potentially involving hundreds of satellites — capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting incoming missile threats in real time.

Trump described the initiative as essential to “protect our homeland,” asserting that it would secure the U.S. and its allies from modern missile warfare.

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Canada has also expressed interest in participating in the project. A statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office confirmed ongoing discussions with U.S. officials regarding a strengthened security and economic partnership, which includes plans to reinforce NORAD and potentially contribute to the Golden Dome defense network.

General Guetlein, now tapped to lead the project, is expected to coordinate the technological and strategic frameworks necessary to bring the defense shield to life — a challenge that echoes the legacy of Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” initiative.

“Ronald Reagan envisioned this many years ago, but the technology just wasn’t there,” Trump remarked, suggesting that today’s advancements in aerospace, AI, and satellite technology make this vision more achievable than ever.

Despite Trump’s confidence in rolling out the system before the end of his term in January 2029, defense analysts remain cautious. Experts have raised concerns about the timeline, technical complexity, and massive cost projections.

While Trump has proposed a $175 billion budget, the Congressional Budget Office has offered a far more conservative estimate — suggesting the system could ultimately cost over $800 billion across two decades.

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Tom Karako, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that while the price tag is steep, the real question is how that spending will be distributed over time. “It’s likely a 10-year effort,” Karako said, adding that a mix of Silicon Valley innovation and integration with current U.S. missile defense systems could help bring the project to fruition.

As geopolitical tensions rise and missile technology evolves, the Golden Dome plan signals a renewed U.S. emphasis on futuristic defense capabilities. Whether the project lives up to its promise — both in effectiveness and cost — remains to be seen. But for now, Trump’s missile shield proposal marks a bold step in the nation’s defense policy narrative.