Trump wants to build a permanent helipad at the White House – here’s why

Images of Presidents past and present waving to the press as they disembark or board Marine One on the White House South Lawn have become iconic over the years.

Now, Donald Trump is reportedly planning to install a permanent helipad at the White House, which could change how these timeless photographs and videos look forevermore.

And the reason actually makes sense – in fact, the plans have been in the works for a while.

Newer helicopters used to transport the president – the VH-92A Patriots – have exhaust vents that aim excess heat downwards, meaning they risk scorching the White House lawn.

The newer Marine One helicopter models haven’t actually landed on the South Lawn grass yet – the government is still using older models, including the VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk.

Discussions over a newly installed helipad have been ongoing for years, but a push to install one could see construction as early as this summer.

One retired military officer told the Washington Post: ‘This is not a Trump wild idea.’

Past presidents may have been wary of carrying out construction work on the historic White House, but Trump famously hasn’t.

In October last year, he began demolition of the historic East Wing – which served as the traditional base of operations for the First Lady for more than 100 years – to make way for a new structure including the White House State Ballroom.

In July 2025, when Trump first announced the plans, he said they would not impact the main building.

‘It’ll be near it but not touching it and pays total respect to the existing building, which I’m the biggest fan of,’ he said.

The construction of Trump’s ballroom has now ballooned to around $400 million in cost.

While the president says private donors will fund it, taxpayers are expected to foot security costs.

Yesterday, it was revealed that his ballroom is facing further delays after the Senate removed more than $1 billion in taxpayer funding for security upgrades to the building.

Though Republicans control the Senate, they might not be able to pass the $72 billion spending package they want to pass, which includes ballroom-related funding.

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