Battle joined for golden dome.

Two signboards had been set up in the Oval Office, flanking the Resolute Desk; one showed a view of the continental US from space, encased in a transparent bubble, as missiles rained down on the country. The other showed a cross-section of the dome, with a quote from President Donald J Trump: “This is a Very Dangerous World. We’re going to protect our citizens like never before!”

In a White House promotional video from mid-May, the lens played over the portrait of Ronald Reagan, as Trump said: “We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland.” He said his Big Beautiful Bill would include $25bn for the Golden Dome. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing at Trump’s shoulder, said it was a “generational investment”. “Our enemies, our adversaries, are going to pay a lot of attention to this, just like they have to President Trump, from day one. Sir, you’re defending the whole land, defending the American people. Thank you for your leadership.”