Trump looking to build a helipad on White House South Lawn

LocalPolitics
19 May 2026 • 1:24 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Trump looking to build a helipad on White House South Lawn

  • President Trump is planning to install a helipad on the South Lawn of the White House, with potential installation as early as this summer, three people with knowledge of the matter told The Washington Post.
  • The proposal is viewed as a practical solution to a problem caused by the new Marine One helicopters (VH-92A), whose downward-pointing exhaust vents risk scorching the meticulously manicured lawn.
  • Due to this issue, the VH-92A has been barred from landing on the White House grounds, requiring older aircraft to complete the final leg of presidential transport.
  • White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that Trump continues to make improvements for future presidents, while the Marine Corps confirmed the VH-92A supports presidential lifts outside the National Capital Region.
  • While some officials support the helipad as a necessary upgrade, others, including retired colonel Ray L’Heureux, oppose it, citing aesthetic concerns and arguing that the current system is not broken.

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