Trump Says He's Building a White House Helipad for a New, More Powerful Marine One
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has announced plans to build a permanent granite helipad on the White House South Lawn, saying the project is needed to accommodate the next generation of Marine One helicopters, whose powerful exhaust has been damaging the lawn during landings.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the new landing pad will feature a carved White House seal in granite and will cost an estimated $5 million to $6 million. According to the president, the project will be funded by Sikorsky Aircraft, the manufacturer of the new presidential helicopters and a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.
Trump said the newer VH-92A Patriot helicopters are significantly more powerful than the older Marine One fleet and have repeatedly torn up the South Lawn whenever they land.
"It's not that the grass gets discolored—it gets ripped out," Trump told reporters, explaining why a permanent landing surface is necessary.
Lockheed Martin confirmed that it is contributing funding for the project through the Trust for the National Mall, the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. The company said the donation complies with all applicable legal and ethical standards but did not disclose the project's final cost.
The helipad is expected to allow the White House to fully utilize the new fleet of presidential helicopters delivered in 2024. Although the aircraft have entered service, their use at the White House has been limited because of concerns that their downward-directed exhaust could damage the historic lawn.
The helipad is the latest in a series of renovations ordered by Trump at the White House, including updates to the Rose Garden, restoration work on the building's exterior columns and plans for additional construction projects across the presidential complex.