Trump Unveils the Golden Dome: It Will Stop Missiles 'Even if They Are Launched From Space' (May 20, 2025)

President Donald Trump announced the design of a missile shield over America, the job he said Ronald Reagan could not finish. “Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles, even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they are launched from space,” Trump said in the Oval Office on May 20, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“It’s a pretty evil world out there. So this is something that goes a long way toward the survival of this great country,” Trump said [1].

“We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,” he said [1].

The video above shows Trump’s Golden Dome announcement on May 20, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and GovInfo [1][2].

”Land, Sea, and Space”

“Today I’m pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors,” Trump said [1].

“This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defense capabilities and should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we’ll have it done in about 3 years,” he said [1].

“But including hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, and advanced cruise missiles—all of them will be knocked out of the air,” Trump said. “When you think of it, you’re shooting bullets out of the air.” [1]

“$175 Billion Total”

Trump gave the price. “I’m also pleased to report that the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ will include $25 billion for the Golden Dome to help construction get underway,” he said [1].

“General, we’re talking about $175 billion total cost of this, when it’s completed,” Trump said [1].

He named Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein to run the program. “General Guetlein also knows that we need to move fast. No one is more qualified for his job,” Trump said [1].

“And I’m very honored to have been the one that helped—or, really, created Space Force,” he said. “We were third in space, and now we’re number one in space by a lot.” [1]

Asked if Congress would pay for it quickly, Trump said: “It’s amazing how easy this one is to fund. You know, some funding is tough, and some is easy. When we say we’re going to save everyone’s lives in a crazy world, it seems to be very easy to get.” [1]

“Canada Has Called Us”

“And Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we’ll be talking to them. They want to have protection also,” Trump said [1].

“But they’ll pay their fair share,” he said [1].

“And everything’s going to be made in the U.S.A., by the way, very importantly,” Trump said [1].

“6,000 Miles an Hour”

Guetlein explained the threat. “Our adversaries have been quickly modernizing their nuclear forces, building out ballistic missiles capable of hosting multiple warheads; building out hypersonic missiles capable of attacking the United States within an hour and traveling at 6,000 miles an hour,” he said [1].

“Building cruise missiles that can navigate around our radar and our defenses; and building submarines that can sneak up on our shores; and, worse yet, building space weapons,” Guetlein said [1].

“We owe it to our children and our children’s children to protect them and afford them a quality of life that we have all grown up enjoying. Golden Dome will afford that,” he said [1].

”Promises Made and Promises Kept”

“Well, Mr. President, add this to the long and growing list of promises made and promises kept,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. “Ultimately, this right here, the Golden Dome for America, is game changer. It’s a generational investment in the security of America and Americans.” [1]

Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska said his state “is the cornerstone of missile defense right now in terms of ground-based missile interceptors.” Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana said “the Golden Dome is going to be an even bigger legacy for our country. And Indiana is going to help you make it.” [1]

“No surprise that you would be the one, the President that would come along and put the homeland first. And this is just one more example of that,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota [1].

By the Numbers

$175 billion: the total cost, per Trump [1].
$25 billion: the down payment in the budget bill, per Trump [1].
About 3 years: to finish the shield, per Trump [1].
6,000 mph: the speed of the hypersonic missiles it must stop, per Guetlein [1].

What Happened Next

Congress paid for it. On July 4, 2025, Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law. Its Section 20003, “Enhancement of Department of Defense resources for integrated air and missile defense,” provides “$5,600,000,000 for development of space-based and boost phase intercept capabilities” and “$7,200,000,000 for the development, procurement, and integration of military space-based sensors.” [2]

It also provides “$2,200,000,000 for acceleration of hypersonic defense systems.” [2]

For Trump telling West Point graduates the shield would be finished before he leaves office, see HYGO News’ page on May 24, 2025. For Trump unveiling the F-47 fighter, see the page on March 21, 2025.