CBO pegs Trump’s 'Golden Dome' at $1.2 trillion over 20 years

The Congressional Budget Office estimates Trump’s space-based “Golden Dome” missile-defense system would cost about $1.2 trillion over 20 years—far above the president’s prior $175 billion figure—though the analysis notes it reflects an illustrative approach rather than a formal administration estimate due to limited Defense Department details. Ordered by Trump in his first week in office, the plan envisions ground- and space-based defenses to detect and intercept missiles at all stages and aims to be fully operational before January 2029, drawing inspiration from Israel’s Iron Dome. Congress has already approved roughly $24 billion for the initiative, while critics say it would largely benefit defense contractors; earlier space-based estimates alone could total up to $542 billion.