What Is Trump’s $175-Billion ‘Golden Dome’

President Donald Trump has unveiled the Golden Dome, a proposed \$175 billion missile defense system intended to protect the U.S. using land, sea, and space-based technologies. Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome and Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, the plan includes hundreds of satellites to detect and potentially intercept threats. Though still in early stages, Trump aims for it to be operational by 2029, with SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril emerging as top contenders for key roles. Critics, including China, argue the system is destabilizing and could militarize space, violating international treaties.

The Golden Dome aims to counter growing threats from countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, which are developing advanced missile systems. The proposed system would feature overlapping layers of defense and cutting-edge technology. Despite strong backing from U.S. defense firms and political allies, the project has not yet received full congressional approval. International concerns are mounting, especially from China, which warns the initiative could disrupt global strategic stability and spark a new arms race.