President Donald Trump ordered contractors to redo weeks of work on the White House’s new granite helipad after objecting to its appearance and seeking a landing pad level with the horizon.
Trump Orders Completed Helipad Work Removed
First reported by The Washington Post on Tuesday, the decision could require crews to dismantle completed sections and reconsider how the pad sits on the sloping South Lawn. The added cost remains unclear. Federal Aviation Administration guidance does not demand a perfectly horizontal pad. Instead, it recommends slight gradients to provide drainage across touchdown areas.
The project began in June after Trump prioritized a permanent landing pad for the VH-92A Patriot helicopters used as Marine One. Their downward-facing exhaust can scorch or tear up grass, limiting use at the White House despite completion of the 23-helicopter fleet in 2024.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, in a statement shared with the Post, said the grounds had "desperately" needed a helipad that would let the president land safely while protecting the South Lawn "from the fierce exhaust fumes of the incredible Marine One."
Benzinga reached out to the White House for additional details but did not receive an immediate response.
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Sikorsky Funds Trump’s Granite Helipad Vision
Lockheed Martin Corp’s (NYSE:LMT) Sikorsky unit is covering about $5 million to $6 million through a contribution to the National Park Service. Lockheed said the arrangement followed "rigorous ethics and compliance standards" and applicable laws. The company has not said whether it would cover redesign costs.
Trump earlier said Sikorsky was "paying the full cost" and recalled telling planners, "Let’s do a beauty. Let’s not just do a piece of concrete and paint it white." He requested granite, a carved White House seal and an eagle.
Redesign Joins Broader White House Makeover
The president has temporarily used the Ellipse for Marine One arrivals and departures while work continues. The presidential squadron operates older VH-3D Sea Kings and VH-60Ns alongside 10 VH-92As.
The redo adds another twist to Trump’s White House renovation campaign. He has paved part of the Rose Garden, installed gold accents and partisan presidential plaques, and pursued a ballroom on the demolished East Wing site. That project has faced legal challenges over congressional authority and historic-preservation reviews.
Image via Shutterstock
