Trump Cuts Ties with Elon Musk’s SpaceX for Golden Dome Project: Pentagon Turns to Amazon and Defense Giants

• Why Did Trump Drop SpaceX from Golden Dome?
• Who Benefits from SpaceX’s Exit?
• Can Golden Dome Meet Its Aggressive Timeline?

In a dramatic shift, the TRUMP administration has excluded SpaceX from the Golden Dome missile defense initiative following a public fallout with Elon Musk. The Pentagon is now courting Amazon’s Project Kuiper, legacy defense contractors, and startups like Rocket Lab to fill the gap. With a $13 billion budget surge and a 120-day deadline for a full blueprint, the project could redefine U.S. space militarization—while raising cybersecurity and global escalation risks.

Why Did Trump Drop SpaceX from Golden Dome?

The decision came directly from the WHITE House after Trump and Musk’s relationship collapsed publicly on June 5. Tensions had been brewing since early 2024, when Pentagon officials grew uneasy about SpaceX’s dominance over military communications. Now, the administration is doing something rare: opening doors to competitors. Amazon’s Project Kuiper—which has deployed just 78 of its planned 3,000 satellites—is suddenly a top contender. "Every launch will be open for bidding," a Pentagon official told Reuters. Traditional players like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are also in talks, with Lockheed’s space division declaring readiness to support Golden Dome "as a proven mission partner."

Who Benefits from SpaceX’s Exit?

Amazon’s Jeff Bezos hinted at Kuiper’s defense potential back in January, despite its commercial origins. Meanwhile, startups like Rocket Lab and Stoke Space now have a shot at competing with SpaceX’s rocket monopoly. But the real winners might be Trump-linked firms: Palantir and Anduril were initially seen as top contenders, though Musk’s newly launched "America Party" (aimed at anti-Trump Republicans) adds political spice. Financial stakes are sky-high—Space Force’s satellite budget ballooned from $900 million to $13 billion in 2023, with $25 billion recently unlocked by Trump’s tax bill.

Can Golden Dome Meet Its Aggressive Timeline?

Newly confirmed Space Force General Michael Guetlein has just 30 days to assemble a team, 60 days to draft designs, and 120 days to deliver a full satellite-and-ground infrastructure blueprint. The rush reflects growing threats; SpaceX admitted in May 2024 to spending "significant resources" countering Russian jamming attempts. RTX (formerly Raytheon) claims its Patriot system could play a "significant role" if rapid deployment is needed within 2–3 years. One thing’s clear: the U.S. is betting big on privatizing space defense—with or without Musk.