Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Trump Opens New White House South Lawn Helipad
President Donald Trump opened a new helicopter landing area at the White House.
He cut a ribbon to mark its official opening.
He then flew away in Marine One, the presidential helicopter.
This was the first presidential flight from the new landing area.
The helipad is about 100 feet wide and has a presidential symbol.
It was built with black-and-white granite from California.
Trump said the project was finished early and cost less than planned.
Workers from the Washington, D.C., area and Clark Construction helped build it.
While it was being built, Marine One used a different nearby landing area called the Ellipse.
Trump thanked the workers and Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet.
Donald Trump inaugurated the new White House South Lawn helipad on Monday.
Trump cut the ribbon before departing aboard Marine One from the facility.
The approximately 100-foot landing area features a presidential insignia and black-and-white California granite.
Trump said Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet contributed to the project, while previously saying Sikorsky Aircraft would cover its full cost.
Marine One operations had temporarily moved to the Ellipse during construction because of communication and aviation-safety concerns.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Marine One personnel, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, construction workers, stone masons, and Clark Construction.
- What
- Trump inaugurated the newly built White House South Lawn helipad and departed from it aboard Marine One.
- When
- Monday, according to the article; no calendar date was specified.
- Where
- The White House South Lawn in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- To officially open the new facility and enable presidential helicopter departures from the South Lawn.
Project Funding Account
Alternative Funding Account
Who paid for the helipad
Project Funding Account
Trump said Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet made a contribution toward the project.
Alternative Funding Account
Trump had previously said Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin division, would cover the full cost of the refurbishment.
Project assessment
Project Funding Account
Trump described the completed helipad as very beautiful and a work of art, and said it was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
Alternative Funding Account
The article notes that temporary Marine One operations raised logistical and aviation-safety concerns, including communication and visibility issues during construction.
- Facility
- New helipad on the White House South Lawn
- Size
- Approximately 100 feet
- First departure
- Marine One made the first presidential flight from the facility
- Materials
- Carved black-and-white granite sourced from a California quarry
- Construction
- Trump said the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget
- Companies mentioned
- Lockheed Martin and Clark Construction
- Temporary landing area
- Marine One operations shifted to the Ellipse during construction