Donald Trump says a new White House helipad is on the way. The project is meant to solve a problem caused by Marine One’s new helicopters. Another change is coming to the White House grounds. President Donald Trump says construction has begun on a new landing area for Marine One. This was after the latest presidential helicopters repeatedly damaged the South Lawn during landings.
Trump said Sikorsky will pay up to $6 million for the new Marine One landing area
Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said the new helipad was his idea. He confirmed the project would cost between $5 million and $6 million. According to the president, the landing pad will feature the White House seal carved into granite. He explained that the new VH-92A Patriot helicopters are far more powerful than the older Marine One fleet, making the South Lawn unsuitable for regular landings (via The Daily Beast).
Trump said the helicopters’ downward-facing exhaust is so strong that it doesn’t just discolor the grass; it “gets ripped out.” Recalling an early landing, he said half of the lawn ended up scattered in front of the Oval Office. Military officials initially considered continuing to use older helicopters for White House landings. However, Trump said he instead suggested building a dedicated helipad after asking, “Has anybody ever thought of a helipad?”
The president also pointed to his own experience. He said he has owned several Sikorsky helicopters over the years and had helipads at multiple properties. He described the new structure as more than just a slab of concrete. Trump added that it will include a granite presidential seal and be built by “some of the most talented people” involved in stonework. The president further stated that the space could also be used for conferences and other White House events when helicopters are not landing there.
Trump claimed Sikorsky agreed to cover the entire cost because the company “felt a little guilty” about the helicopters’ impact on the lawn. The announcement comes after several other White House renovation projects, including the new ballroom and changes to the Rose Garden.
