• Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense system is projected to cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years.
• The estimate is six times higher than the initial price tag of $175 billion.
• The system is designed to counter various aerial threats, but may struggle against full-scale attacks.
• The project is criticized as a significant financial burden on American taxpayers.
• Congress has already allocated approximately $24 billion for the initiative.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that President Trump’s "Golden Dome" missile defense system will cost about $1.2 trillion over a 20-year period. This figure significantly exceeds the initial $175 billion forecast provided by the administration. The CBO describes this estimate as based on various potential configurations of the system without explicit details from the Department of Defense, creating uncertainties about long-term costs, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

The envisioned system aims to deploy both ground-based and space-based interceptors to defend against missiles at multiple stages of an attack, similar to Israel's "Iron Dome" system. Notably, while the Golden Dome could potentially halt limited threats, the CBO warns it could be overwhelmed by a full-scale attack from adversaries such as Russia or China, highlighting significant challenges that remain unaddressed. This is noted by South China Morning Post and BBC.

Senator Jeff Merkley, who called for the CBO's analysis, opposes the initiative, stating that it serves as “nothing more than a massive giveaway to defense contractors paid for entirely by working Americans.” As noted, Congress has already approved roughly $24 billion for the initiative, with ongoing debates about its feasibility and necessity, according to NPR and Los Angeles Times.