President Donald Trump unveiled plans to construct a granite helipad on the White House South Lawn, describing it as a practical upgrade to accommodate the next generation of Marine One helicopters, funded by Sikorsky.“For 50 years we’ve been landing helicopters on grass, the grass is wet, soggy,” Trump said during an Oval Office appearance Monday. “So now, we’re building a helipad. Beautiful helipad. and it’s got the seal of the White House on [it] in granite, carved granite.”Trump confirmed the project after the helipad plans had been rumored for months, with construction reportedly sped up ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in September, according to the Washington Post.
“It’s really a beautiful thing, and I’ll tell you Sikorsky is paying for it. You know why? Because they didn’t tell us how powerful these helicopters were, and they felt a little bit guilty,” Trump said. “I like power by the way, I think it’s great for a helicopter. But they felt a little guilty, and they are paying for the cost of it, it’s about $5 or $6 million. They’re paying the full cost.”
Trump: "We're building a helipad. Beautiful helipad. And it's got the seal of the White House on in granite, carved granite. It's really a beautiful thing. Sikorsky is paying for it. It's about $5 or $6 million." pic.twitter.com/VhoEMHjFhA— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 6, 2026
