• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Donald Trump announces $175 billion golden dome and people think they know his next move

Home> News> US News

Updated 10:03 21 May 2025 GMT+1Published 09:53 21 May 2025 GMT+1

Donald Trump announces $175 billion golden dome and people think they know his next move

The US President has announced a new missile defence system for the nation

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

Donald Trump revealed that the US are looking to launch a revolutionary missile defence system.

The 47th US President has been very open when it comes to discussing the military, even floating the possibility of World War III at times.

But just yesterday (20 May), the 78-year-old held a meeting in the Oval Office to announce the concept of his Golden Dome missile defence system, which would include the US stationing weapons in space for the first time.

Advert

The concept might sound familiar, as you might've heard of Israel's existing Iron dome, which is similar, though it is described as an 'all-weather air defence system'.

America's system is said to be able to detect missiles and stop them at any point of attack, from the point of launch until its descent, say the Trump administration.

The US President has warned of a missile attack being the biggest threat to the USA's safety (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The US President has warned of a missile attack being the biggest threat to the USA's safety (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

What will the Golden Dome missile system consist of?

The President said that the Golden Dome missile system will be 'cutting-edge' and will include a 'space-based sensors and interceptors'.

Advert

He further set the target of the entire system being 'fully operational' by the end of this term in 2029, reports Sky News.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters that the system will be sharp enough to intercept missiles, wherever they are launched in the world.

He further claimed that Canada are interested of being part of it, stating: "As usual, we help Canada as best we can."

Following news of his bombshell tariffs and the promotion of locally-sourced materials, it was fitting that the President insisted that it would solely use manufacturers in the country.

The vice chief of space operations, General Michael Guetlein, will oversee the Dome's progress, while General Chance Saltzman, the head of the US Space Force claimed that space weapons 'represent new and emerging requirements for missions'.

Advert

Trump has announced a new missile defence system for the US (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump has announced a new missile defence system for the US (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

How much will it cost?

Trump announced that he has already set $25 billion aside to begin construction as a down payment, though he noted it would ultimately cost 'about $175 billion (£130.5 billion)'.

While this is already eye-watering enough, the Congressional Budget Office has placed the price far higher, more in the region of $542 billion (£405billion) over the next two decades in space-based equipment alone.

Despite the huge announcement, US Air Force secretary Troy Meink claimed it's all 'still in the conceptual stage', with no money allocated for the project yet.

Advert

The move comes after warnings from the Pentagon about the US falling behind the likes of Russia and China when it comes to having the latest cutting technology in missiles.

What are the public saying?

The contract for the job is up for grabs, and people have taken to social media to share their predictions on who will get it.

One user said on X: "The so called golden dome is a scheme to give more money to Elon Musk."

Another added: "BREAKING: Trump just announced "Golden Dome" which would supposedly shut down all the missiles countries shoot at us. It could cost half a TRILLION per year. He'll give the contract to Elon Musk. But we can't afford Medicaid. Oh F*** OFF."

Advert

"Donald Trump's 'Golden Dome,' which he'll award to Elon Musk, is a f***ing scam the likes of which have never been seen before," a third wrote, continuing: "A $25 billion 'down-posit,' which balloons into $175 billion? It reeks of waste, fraud, and abuse to me."

The US will have the capability to stop missile attacks from all over the world, according to Trump (Getty Stock Image)
The US will have the capability to stop missile attacks from all over the world, according to Trump (Getty Stock Image)

Who will be awarded the contract for the Golden Dome?

Reuters report that Elon Musk's Space X and two partners are frontrunners to be given a huge part of Trump's Golden Dome missile defence, according to sources.

The three companies are bidding to build important parts of the Golden Dome, which a lot of the tech sector are unsurprisingly interested in doing as well.

The move to firm up the USA's defence systems comes months after Trump claimed in January that a missile attack was 'the most catastrophic threat facing the United States.'

Musk is currently serving as an advisor to Trump as part of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Featured Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Politics, US News, SpaceX

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 9 hours ago

    Worrying simulation shows how nuclear bomb really works as global tensions continue to rise

    A simulation of an atomic bomb has highlighted the alarming effects it can cause

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Explicit 'freak off' text messages between Diddy and ex-girlfriend revealed in court for first time

    Messages between Diddy and his ex-girlfriend Jane after 'freak-offs' were shown to the court

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Donald Trump shares private message with NATO chief with worrying threat to Europe

    Donald Trump shared a screenshot of a recent conversation with NATO chief Mark Rutte

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    Everything we know about Iran-Israel ceasefire following confusion over it actually being agreed

    The Iran-Israel ceasefire has already been broken, according to Israel's defence minister

    News
  • China issues worrying response as Donald Trump announces $175 billion golden dome
  • Donald Trump issued chilling warning to rest of the world as he announced $175 billion Golden Dome
  • People think The Simpsons predicted future again as Donald Trump announces $175 billion Golden Dome
  • How Donald Trump's new $175 billion Golden Dome will work following chilling warning to rest of the world