- President Donald Trump announced that he is building a granite helipad on the White House lawn, stating that the landing area is needed for new, more powerful presidential helicopters.
- Construction crews have already begun working on the helipad on the South Lawn, where Trump previously had UFC build a temporary arena for a cage fight celebrating his 80th birthday.
- Trump stated that the project would be privately funded and estimated its cost at up to $6 million.
- Trump described the helipad as a beautiful addition, noting it would feature the seal of the White House in carved granite.
- He confirmed that Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, would be paying for the helipad.
- Lockheed Martin stated that this contribution was made to the Trust for the National Mall and conducted in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Trump explained that the new helicopters are too powerful to land on the White House lawn without damaging the grass, stating, 'It gets ripped out.'
- He mentioned that the new helicopters have seen limited service due to their exhaust vents scorching the White House South Lawn.
- Trump recalled telling military generals that a White House helipad would solve the landing issues, noting that Sikorsky was covering the full cost because they felt guilty about the helicopters' power.
- He instructed builders to create a beautiful helipad using granite instead of concrete, emphasizing its strength.
- The helipad is expected to allow officials to retire 45-year-old helicopters that have been used as Marine One.
President Donald Trump revealed plans for a granite helipad on the White House lawn, funded by Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, at an estimated cost of $6 million. Trump emphasized the need for the helipad due to the power of new presidential helicopters, which could damage the grass.135
Trump stated, 'It's got the seal of the White House on it in granite, in carved granite. It's really a beautiful thing.' The project aims to address issues with the new helicopters, which have been limited in service due to their exhaust damaging the South Lawn. Lockheed Martin confirmed the funding was made in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.2410
The president noted that Sikorsky felt guilty about the helicopters' impact on the lawn, leading to the decision to build the helipad. He instructed builders to create a visually appealing structure, opting for granite over concrete. 'You're landing on granite, which is the strongest stone,' Trump remarked, highlighting the helipad's potential for other uses, such as outdoor news conferences.
The new fleet of helicopters, including the VH-92A, was completed in 2024, with President Joe Biden taking the first flight. The older VH-3Ds will remain in service until the end of this year, according to a 2026 Marine Corps aviation plan.
“The new Marine One helicopters have been largely unusable at the White House because their exhaust scorches the South Lawn. The granite helipad, funded by Sikorsky via a contribution to the Trust for the National Mall, will allow the retirement of the 45-year-old fleet that currently serves as Marine One.”
