Granite Helicopter Landing Pad Under Construction on White House South Lawn

President Donald Trump said Monday that a new granite helicopter landing pad is under construction on the White House South Lawn. The project is estimated to cost between $5 million and $6 million. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the helipad will feature the White House seal carved in granite.

Construction is already underway, he said, and the pad could also serve for events and news conferences when not in use by helicopters. The project is being funded by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, according to statements from the president and a company spokesperson.

A Lockheed Martin spokesperson told Time that the contribution was made to the National Park Service and that the company's engagement with the federal government follows rigorous ethics and compliance standards.

Trump stated that Sikorsky agreed to cover the cost because the company felt a degree of responsibility for lawn damage caused by the new VH-92A helicopters. Time reported that the new fleet of 23 VH-92A Marine One helicopters entered service in 2024.

Former President Joe Biden took the first flight aboard one of the Sikorsky-built aircraft that year, and the military announced delivery of the final helicopter in the same period.

Trump stated that the helicopters caused damage to the lawn during landings because of their power. Documents viewed by the Washington Post indicate the White House accelerated the helipad timeline ahead of an upcoming state visit, adding roughly $875,000 to the cost. A White House official told Time that the helipad is expected to be finished sometime in September.

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called the project a joke and said Trump is prioritizing construction over signing a bipartisan housing bill.