Trump Unveils New White House Helipad For First Flight
President Donald Trump took off from the new White House helipad for the first time on Monday. He traveled to New York City to meet with Mayor Zohran Mamdani before heading to the United Nations. The ribbon-cutting ceremony happened on the South Lawn just before the flight. Construction workers lined the new path as the President walked to Marine One.
The new landing zone is made of black-and-white granite with the presidential seal. It was built to handle the heavy VH-92A Patriot helicopters that replaced older models. These new aircraft generate intense heat that would burn the grass if they landed on it. The old grass could not handle the weight and heat of the modern fleet. The Wall Street Journal first reported the plans to install this permanent fix.
We have liftoff from the South Lawn 🚁
President Trump cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new helipad at the White House. pic.twitter.com/XBMwqXxUGU
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 21, 2026
Landing on soft turf used to tear up the lawn and force pilots to land elsewhere. The new granite pad stops this damage and lets the President board the helicopter closer to the residence. This change cuts down the time he spends walking across an open lawn. It also reduces the need for long motorcades that cause traffic jams in the city.
.@POTUS participates in a ribbon cutting to unveil the new White House helipad 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kJHuYPQGMR
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) September 21, 2026
Major news networks refused to provide clear audio for the White House video feed on Monday. Five top networks are boycotting presidential events after the President revoked access for CNN, Politico, and MS NOW. The excluded outlets filed a joint lawsuit claiming the move threatens democratic norms. Per RedState, the press corps preferred to make themselves the story rather than cover the upgrade.
The day has finally come! The Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot which first flew almost 10 years ago is departing the new White House helipad with POTUS onboard for the first time! 😎🇺🇸💪
Welcome to the 21st-century everyone! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/HNX3Z588Nw
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) September 21, 2026
President Trump posted on Truth Social about the "very beautiful" Heliport and thanked the construction teams. He credited Jim Taiclet, CEO of Lockheed Martin, for making a valuable contribution to the country. The President noted that his government had wanted this project for 25 years but never got it done. He wrote, "I get things done!" in the post.
This helipad is the latest project to fix the White House grounds since Trump returned to office. He also installed two flagpoles standing nearly 100 feet tall on the North and South lawns. The President restored the columns at the north entrance and built a patio in the Rose Garden. Work is also moving forward on a new ballroom in the East Wing.