Trump says he’s building a White House helipad for a new, more powerful Marine One | World | News

Confirmation of the project came as construction crews had already begun working on the helipad on the South Lawn.

“It’s got the seal of the White House on it in granite, in carved granite,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, July 6.

“It’s really a beautiful thing.

He said the project would be privately funded and estimated its cost at up to $6 million.

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of defence contracting giant Lockheed Martin, would be paying for the helipad, Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump did not provide details on how long the work would take.

Sikorsky completed a new fleet of helicopters for use as Marine One in 2024 and a spokesperson on Monday said that the new helicopters deliver “increased performance and reduced maintenance costs and time.”

Mr Trump said the newer aircraft were too potent to land on the White House lawn without damaging the grass.

“It’s not that the grass gets discoloured – it gets ripped out,” Mr President said.

The new helicopters have seen limited service. The choppers’ exhaust vents aim heat downward which scorch the White House South Lawn, The Associated Press reports.

The Marines and Sikorsky have been trying find a solution to the problem for years. As a result, the new helicopters have not been used at the White House.

Mr Trump said Sikorsky was building the helipad and paying the “full cost” because they “felt a little bit guilty” that the new fleet of helicopters was too powerful to land at the White House.

He also said he told builders to “do a beauty” and suggested using granite rather than simply laying concrete and painting it white.

“You’re landing on granite, which is the strongest stone,” he said, noting that the completed landing pad could also be used for other events, like outdoor White House news conferences.

The US leader said that the helipad will allow officials to “finally retire 45-year-old helicopters” that had been used as Marine One.