US President Donald Trump is building a new granite helipad on the White House South Lawn, funded primarily by Sikorsky, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary that builds Marine One helicopters. Sikorsky is contributing an estimated $5 to $6 million to the project, with additional donations reportedly including from Trump himself. Lockheed Martin stated that its contribution was made to the National Park Service and adhered to strict ethics and compliance standards.
Trump showcased the construction site and signed granite slabs for the project, with his signature set to appear hidden on the eagle emblem of the US seal upon completion. He described the facility as “a helipad at the highest level” capable of landing any helicopter in the world. The helipad is intended for Marine One landings, foreign dignitaries during state visits, and as a cocktail reception space for a planned new ballroom.
Crews have worked from 6 am to midnight to accelerate construction, with Trump hoping for completion before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned September 24 visit, though he noted that timeline is not imperative. The project is part of a broader year of renovation work at the White House during Trump’s second term, and no operational date has been announced.