The Congressional Budget Office released a estimate that President Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile‑defense concept would demand roughly $1.2 trillion over two decades. The plan, unveiled in a May White House briefing, envisions a multi‑layer shield covering the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Lawmakers see the figure far surpassing Trump’s own $175 billion projection. The estimate also flags potential cost overruns tied to emerging technologies.

Four defensive tiers would rely on thousands of satellites, half‑a‑dozen radar and missile sites, plus 35 regional installations to counter hypersonic and cruise threats. The CBO calculated that space‑based interceptors—satellites armed with missiles—would absorb about 60 % of the total, requiring roughly 7,800 low‑orbit platforms to engage ten enemy ICBMs simultaneously. Atmospheric drag would force periodic replacement. Maintenance cycles could further inflate expenses beyond initial calculations.

Missile‑defense specialist Tom Karako warned that even a fully funded system might be overwhelmed by Russia or China’s vast nuclear arsenals, and that no architecture can guarantee continuous nationwide coverage. The projected outlay threatens to reshape the Pentagon’s budget, crowding out other modernization programs. Congressional scrutiny is expected to intensify as the bill advances. Ultimately, taxpayers face a trillion‑dollar gamble with uncertain strategic payoff.