Trump's 'Golden Dome' to cost $1.2 tn, watchdog estimates

A new estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that President Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense shield could cost up to $1.2 trillion over its 20-year operational lifespan. This figure is six times higher than current forecasts. The CBO's estimate is based on capabilities outlined in a January executive order, as the administration has not provided specific details on the system's design, making long-term cost assessment difficult. Despite the substantial investment, the CBO concluded that the Golden Dome would likely be unable to stop an all-out attack from a peer or near-peer adversary.

A new Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis estimates President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system could cost $1.2 trillion, significantly exceeding his initial $175 billion projection. The nonpartisan report, released Tuesday, analyzes one potential approach to the system, which Trump ordered via executive action in his first week in office. The envisioned system, partly inspired by Israel's "Iron Dome," aims to detect and intercept missiles at all stages of attack using ground and space-based capabilities. Trump stated the need for such a system due to the increasing complexity of strategic weapon threats from adversaries. He had previously expressed hope for the system to be operational before the end of his term in January 2029.