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 has made his mark on the White House with a series of construction projects including, the White House ballroom, the remodel of the Oval Office and Rose Garden, and the addition of the golden eagle ornament, all which the White House has stated is a “bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and additions from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence as a beacon of American excellence.”
According to Trump, the granite helipad will provide a durable landing area while preserving the surrounding grounds from the intense heat and downwash generated by the helicopters.
“The helicopters sometimes miss their little mark,” Trump said. “They send people out, Marines. I watch them march out so beautiful, great guys. They have a piece of metal that they put down and except for the fact that these pilots are so good, they almost hit the mark all the time, but sometimes they miss half the size of this desk.”
WHITE HOUSE PLANS TO BUILD HELIPAD ON THE SOUTH LAWN
Trump also noted that the helipad can be used for other purposes, such as events and news conferences. He emphasized that the project efficiently solves the land problems and retires old helicopters.
“You’re landing on granite, which is the strongest stone,” Trump said. “It’s 35,000 pounds per square inch, and it’s got a 1 million-plus lifetime, and it’s going to be really beautiful,” he said.