Elon Musk’s Role in Golden Dome Initiative Uncertain After Feud With Trump

Elon Musk’s potential involvement in President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense initiative is now uncertain following their recent public feud, despite subsequent efforts to reconcile.

The White House confirmed it is not actively seeking to cancel Musk’s existing federal contracts, but his company’s role in the new defense system appears to be in jeopardy.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she was unaware of any moves to revoke Musk’s contracts when asked about the status of his involvement in the Golden Dome project.

This follows a tense period where Trump threatened to cancel Musk’s federal funding after the billionaire criticized his policies. Trump warned of “serious consequences” if Musk supported Democrats, taking issue with criticism of his massive spending plan.

The dispute cooled after Musk posted positive messages about Trump on X, called him directly, and expressed regret over some of his earlier posts during the online feud.

Musk’s companies currently hold government contracts worth approximately $38 billion, even without the Golden Dome assignment. However, his inclusion in the defense project is now being questioned, according to a report from Reuters.

Trump had previously showcased a large graphic of the proposed missile shield alongside a presentation about the initiative, signaling Musk’s SpaceX could play a key role, as the Daily Mail reported.

The company is known for transporting astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.

Originally, the plan considered Musk’s SpaceX as a primary contributor, along with Palantir Technologies and drone company Anduril. But that strategy may be changing.

Reports suggest the administration is weighing a revised structure that removes reliance on Musk’s network of satellites. Instead, the focus would shift to current ground-based missile defense systems.

There are concerns about whether a ground-only approach could address the threat of hypersonic missiles. These weapons can travel at speeds of Mach 10 and shift trajectory mid-flight, complicating traditional defense measures.

The Pentagon has been evaluating various strategies, including those using space-based sensors and interceptors, but has made no firm announcements regarding future Golden Dome contracts.

A defense official stated there were no updates from the Department of Defense about upcoming agreements tied to the Golden Dome. The White House also emphasized that all project bids would undergo a rigorous review process.

Trump introduced the Golden Dome plan during a televised address from the Oval Office. He described it as a revolutionary defense project and claimed international interest, including from Canada.

House Republicans have included a $25 billion allocation for Golden Dome in their version of Trump’s larger spending bill, which is currently moving through the Senate.

Trump asserted the total cost would eventually reach $175 billion. He added that military leaders fully supported the initiative after he proposed it, saying they responded with enthusiasm.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled the initiative as a “down payment” on Trump’s top national security goal. He said it marks a major investment in protecting the U.S. homeland.

Contractors have been rushing to submit proposals, with over 300 concept papers reportedly filed earlier this year in anticipation of project awards.

Some defense analysts question the financial projections. Former Pentagon comptroller Dov Zakheim suggested that real costs could rise to $100 billion per year through the end of the decade.

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