"We are building a beautiful granite helipad, engraved with the White House emblem. It's a beautiful structure," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on 6/7.

He stated the project's construction cost is approximately 5-6 million USD, fully funded by Sikorsky Aircraft. This company specializes in manufacturing military and civilian helicopters and is a subsidiary of U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin.

The helipad under construction at the White House, viewed from above on 4/7. Photo: Reuters

"The contribution has been transferred to the National Park Service. Our cooperation with the federal government always adheres to strict ethical standards and is conducted in full compliance with current laws and regulations," a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said.

In 2015, Sikorsky Aircraft was awarded a contract to develop and build 23 VH-92A Patriot helicopters to serve as the short-haul presidential aircraft, "Marine One." The deal was valued at 4.7 billion USD at the time, equivalent to over 6 billion USD today.

However, landing and takeoff tests at the White House in 2018 revealed that the VH-92A helicopters scorched the lawn. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated in mid-2020 that the Pentagon had not yet met requirements to ensure the VH-92A fleet would not cause damage when landing on the White House lawn.

Sikorsky Aircraft began delivering the VH-92A fleet to the U.S. Marine Corps from 2024, but the aircraft are not yet authorized to transport the U.S. President from the White House due to this issue.

During his meeting with reporters on 6/7, Trump noted that the new helicopter fleet not only scorched the grass but also "uprooted them." He mentioned that some had suggested using older VH-3D helicopters for White House landings and reserving the VH-92A for other duties.

However, the U.S. leader proposed building a new helipad on the White House lawn, believing this solution would "solve all problems."

The granite helipad is part of a broader White House renovation project championed by Trump.

A VH-92A helicopter landing on the White House lawn during a 2018 test. Photo: USMC

The East Wing was demolished last year to make way for a large ballroom project. Trump also installed plaques beneath presidential portraits, naming the West Wing corridor the "Presidential Hall of Fame."

The Rose Garden lawn was also renovated, paved, and received new furniture, along with two large flagpoles on the North and South Lawns. The White House's stone columns are also being restored.

"The White House is being cared for with great dedication," he said.

These White House renovations are part of Trump's strategy to reshape the landscape of Washington D.C. and its important landmarks. The U.S. President is planning a new victory arch near a National Park and initiating several renovation projects, including restoring the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

By Hong Hanh (According to ABC and USA Today)