Trump Proposes 'Golden Dome' to Counter Space and Missile Threats

• May 21, 2025

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious missile defense project called the “Golden Dome,” which he says will protect the United States from modern threats, including hypersonic missiles and space-based attacks. The plan is inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome system but is intended to be much larger and more advanced.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the new system would be the most sophisticated missile defense ever created. It will use cutting-edge technology from land, sea, and space to detect and destroy a wide range of threats. These include intercontinental ballistic missiles and fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS), which are capable of launching attacks from space.

“This will be the most advanced missile defence system ever created,” Trump said. “It will knock threats out of the sky no matter where they come from, or even if they come from space.”

The project will be led by Space Force General Michael Guetlein, currently serving as the vice chief of space operations. It will rely heavily on space-based sensors and interceptors designed to respond quickly to threats from multiple directions.

An initial $25 billion has been included in a budget proposal Trump calls the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” However, full funding still needs Congressional approval. The long-term cost of the space components alone could reach $542 billion over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Canada has shown interest in being part of the Golden Dome project. Former Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said earlier this year that joining the effort would benefit Canada, especially given increasing security concerns in the Arctic region.

The U.S. Department of Defense has been told to prioritize the development of the system. A report from the Defense Intelligence Agency noted that countries like China and Russia are trying to exploit weaknesses in American missile defenses. Officials agree that current systems are outdated and may not be able to respond effectively to newer technologies.

Trump stated that the Golden Dome would be fully operational by the end of his second term. He promised the system would deliver “a near-perfect success rate,” signaling a major shift in how the U.S. plans to protect itself from global threats.