President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that a granite helipad is being built on the White House South Lawn, with construction crews already at work. The landing pad is designed to accommodate the new VH-92A Patriot helicopters, whose downward-aimed exhaust vents have prevented regular use at the residence because the heat tears up the turf. Trump told reporters the project would cost up to $6 million and be paid for entirely by Sikorsky Aircraft, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary that manufactured the fleet.

According to the White House, the helipad is an operational necessity that will allow the retirement of Vietnam-era VH-3D helicopters, which are scheduled to remain in service only through the end of this year. Trump stated that Sikorsky “felt a little bit guilty” about the damage caused by the new aircraft and therefore agreed to fund the work. Lockheed Martin, in a statement, said the contribution was made to the Trust for the National Mall, the National Park Service’s non-profit partner, and was “conducted in full accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.” The company did not disclose a timeline for completion.

Viewed from Washington, the helipad is the latest in a series of major construction projects that have reshaped the White House compound under Trump. These include the demolition of the entire East Wing to erect a ballroom that the president has described as bulletproof, drone-proof and, in many cases, rocket-proof, as well as a remodelled Rose Garden patio, a “Presidential Walk of Fame” with partisan plaques, and new flagpoles. While Trump insisted the helipad is privately funded, some earlier projects initially presented as privately financed later drew on public money, a pattern noted by congressional budget analysts.

The broader remodelling effort has generated legal and preservationist pushback. The ballroom project, built on the site of the former East Wing, has been the subject of multiple court cases, with plaintiffs challenging the procurement process and the intervention in the historic fabric of the White House, according to court filings in the District of Columbia. Trump, for his part, complained that “every little thing” prompts lawsuits, especially “when your name is Trump.” The helipad itself has not yet faced formal legal challenge, but the use of a private donation routed through a non-profit to alter a federally protected landmark is likely to draw scrutiny from congressional oversight committees. Construction is proceeding without a publicly stated end date, and the new helicopters are expected to begin regular White House operations once the granite pad is complete.