Yesterday, Mish posted an article about Trump putting a cap on MedicAid, and SALT.
All good news!
Then I thought to myself, “If only Trump would put a cap on military spending.” Amidst all the talk of DOGE reducing spending, his budget for the DoD was not reduced. It has been increased to over $1 Trillion.
And now Trump wants another 1/2 a Trillion dollars to build a “golden dome” missile defense system around America.
Here we go.
Guest post from Mish Shedlock at MishTalk.com:
Trump says $175 Billion. The CBO says $542 billion. Think much higher.
The lead image is from the Defense Intelligence Agency report Golden Dome for America: Current and Future Missile Threats to the U.S. Homeland
Trump Says Golden Dome Will Be Operational in Three Years
In yet another fantasyland projection Trump Says Golden Dome Will Be Operational in Three Years
President Donald Trump vowed that a “Golden Dome” missile-defense shield would be “fully operational” by the end of his term, and offer the US protection from an array of threats — even though some of the technology remains unproven.
Trump’s pledge is an ambitious goal given that much of the technology around the planned system remains unproven, especially plans for space-based interceptors to knock out incoming ballistic missiles. Congress is seeking $25 billion to begin work on the system and Trump said it could cost $175 billion overall.
That conflicts with an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, which has projected that the US might have to spend as much as $542 billion over 20 years to develop and launch those interceptors. Even that could be a low estimate compared to other projections that it could require investments of nearly $1 trillion.
Some experts have questioned whether a system of interceptors capable of destroying even small numbers of intercontinental ballistic missiles would be possible at all within the next couple of decades. Defending against a barrage from adversaries such as Russia or China is considered even more challenging.
“In our view, despite some high profile comments to the contrary, the capabilities of the current US systems are low and will likely remain low for the next 15 years,” according to a February report from the American Physical Society. The report found that many problems in developing such a system “are likely to remain unsolved during, and probably beyond, the 15-year time horizon.”
Details of the proposal aren’t clear but the Pentagon earlier developed draft plans for the air and missile defense system in response to Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order calling for its creation. The idea has garnered intense interest from defense companies given the billions of dollars that must be spent to develop it.
Some experts have said a Golden Dome system could provoke a new arms race with countries such as Russia or China, which might shift their focus to develop systems that could avoid the US interceptors.
Golden Dome by Executive Order
There is no funding for this program. It cannot be done by executive order.
But one thing we have learned over many decades is no government program ever costs as little as preliminary estimates.
Golden Dome Announcement
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have announced the GOLDEN DOME missile defense system for the U.S.
"Golden Dome will be capable of catching missiles from across the world or even SPACE."
"We'll be completing the job Reagan started 40 years ago!"
Trump also… pic.twitter.com/MX1URx1fa0
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 20, 2025
Lockheed Martin Is Ready
With his Golden Dome announcement today, @POTUS outlined a bold vision for layered defense to safeguard the homeland. We are ready now to support this mission with combat-proven systems and an open systems architecture that integrates the best of American technology. pic.twitter.com/vxVgiH85zA
— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) May 20, 2025
Who Thought of This?
Reporter: Did military commanders ask for this “Golden Dome” defense system?
Trump: “I suggested it and they all said ‘we love the idea, sir.’ That's how it's gotta be.”
pic.twitter.com/lChJblSv84— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 20, 2025
What About Canada?
For the safety of the United States of America and her citizens, I would not recommend having Canada as a partner in the "Golden Dome".
I don't think Canada should be trusted with security when it is, in fact, a security threat to the USA.pic.twitter.com/0SXhj6JvcH
— Clyde Do Something 🇺🇸🇨🇦 (@ClydeDoSomethin) May 20, 2025
