CBO Report: Trump's 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Massively Over Budget and Ineffective

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report reveals that former President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system is significantly over budget and incapable of stopping large-scale attacks from major adversaries like Russia or China. While Trump initially estimated the cost at $175 billion, the CBO projects the price tag to reach approximately $1.2 trillion. The plan includes a 'space layer' of 7,800 satellites designed to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles, a component alone costing $720 billion. However, the report highlights severe logistical flaws, noting that satellites would burn up in the atmosphere and last only five years, requiring roughly 30,000 replacements over two decades to maintain operations. Furthermore, the system would likely be overwhelmed by full-scale attacks and could inadvertently trigger missile proliferation as adversaries increase their arsenals. The analysis also points to insufficient industrial capacity for producing necessary interceptors and radars, especially given recent depletion during conflicts such as the Iran War. This findings challenge the feasibility and strategic value of the proposed defense shield.