Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile shield could cost hundreds of billions
Source: CNN Politics
5:00 AM EDT, Mon May 19, 2025
CNN — The Pentagon has submitted small, medium and large options to the White House for developing “Golden Dome,” President Donald Trump’s vision for a cutting-edge missile shield that can protect the US from long-range strikes that will likely cost hundreds of billions of dollars, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans. Trump is expected to announce his preferred option – and its price point – in the coming days, a decision that will ultimately chart a path forward for funding, developing and implementing the space-based missile defense system over the next several years.
Whatever option Trump opts for, it won’t be cheap; $25 billion has been carved out in next year’s defense budget for the system, but the Congressional Budget Office has estimated the US could have to spend more than $500 billion – over the course of 20 years – to develop a viable Golden Dome. The project will also present a bonanza for private contractors as the government won’t be able to build it alone, with companies including Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the running for highly lucrative contracts related to the system.
The Department of Defense “has developed a draft architecture and implementation plan for a Golden Dome system that will protect Americans and our homeland from a wide range of global missile threats,” chief Pentagon spokesman and senior adviser Sean Parnell told CNN in a statement. “The Secretary of Defense and other Department leaders have engaged with the President to present options and look forward to announcing the path forward in the coming days,” Parnell added.
A key part of the implementation plan will be the establishment of a direct reporting program manager – also known as a “golden dome czar” – who can oversee the development and deployment of the highly complex system, according to three sources familiar with the conversations. Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, vice chief of space operations at the US Space Force, is under close consideration for the role, the sources said, noting he is a four-star general with experience in the procurement of missile defense systems and emerging space-based capabilities. For now, however, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding Golden Dome and what it will ultimately look like.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/19/politics/golden-dome-missile-shield-price-billions
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