President Donald Trump has announced plans to construct a granite helipad on the White House South Lawn, stating it is necessary for the new, more powerful presidential helicopters. Construction work has already begun, with crews seen on the lawn where a temporary arena for a UFC cage fight was erected for Trump's 80th birthday.
Trump said the helipad would be privately funded by Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, with an estimated cost of up to $6 million. Speaking in the Oval Office, he described the design as featuring the White House seal carved in granite, calling it “really a beautiful thing.” Lockheed Martin confirmed the contribution was made to the Trust for the National Mall, the National Park Service’s nonprofit organisation, and conducted in accordance with all applicable laws.
The new VH-92A Patriot helicopters, delivered in 2024, are more powerful than the older Vietnam War-era VH-3D Sea Kings but have been limited in use because their exhaust vents direct heat downward, scorching the lawn. Trump noted the issue, saying, “It’s not that the grass gets discolored — it gets ripped out.” The older helicopters are set to remain in service through the end of 2026.
Trump claimed Sikorsky felt “a little bit guilty” about the problem and offered to pay for the helipad. He instructed builders to “do a beauty,” opting for granite over concrete. The helipad could also serve as a venue for outdoor news conferences. The project is the latest in a series of Trump-led White House renovations, including a Rose Garden patio, a “Presidential Walk of Fame,” and a new ballroom in the East Wing.
