Trump unveils Golden Dome missile defense plan amid budget boost

President Donald Trump has formally proposed the development of a U.S. missile defense system, dubbed the 'Golden Dome,' modeled after Israel's Iron Dome but designed to protect the entire nation from advanced threats, including ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The initiative, which Trump announced during a congressional address and at public rallies, is supported by a significant increase in defense spending in his 2026 budget proposal and a recent executive order. Military leaders, including the head of NORAD, have outlined a multi-layered approach for the Golden Dome, featuring overlapping defense domes to counter a range of threats from high-altitude missiles to drones. The Department of Defense is actively evaluating proposals from major technology firms, with companies like SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril considered frontrunners to participate. The plan has sparked debate in Congress over missile defense priorities and funding, especially given the scale and technical challenges of defending a country as large as the U.S. Trump has positioned the Golden Dome as central to revitalizing U.S. military strength and safeguarding the homeland against emerging global threats.