President Donald Trump has now reportedly ordered contractors to redo work on the White House helipad after becoming dissatisfied with how the project looked following weeks of construction, according to reports.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the project, that Trump was unhappy with the appearance of the helipad, which has been a priority since construction began in June. The report said the president has pushed for a landing pad that sits level with the horizon, a change that could require contractors to dismantle portions of the existing work and consider leveling parts of the sloped South Lawn.
According to Federal Aviation Administration recommendations, helipads do not have to be perfectly horizontal. However, they should be flat enough to allow for proper water runoff.
The White House defended the project, arguing that the improvements are necessary for both safety and preservation of the historic grounds.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told The Hill that the executive residence has “desperately” needed a proper helipad that would allow the president to land safely while also protecting the South Lawn from the powerful exhaust generated by Marine One helicopters.
An administration official also told The Hill that the work is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the White House better meets the needs of the historic property.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s request to redo portions of the project will increase the overall cost of construction. Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin that manufactures the VH-92A Patriot helicopters used as Marine One, is already covering the project’s $6 million cost.
When asked for comment, Lockheed Martin referred questions to the White House.
Trump previously spoke enthusiastically about the project, saying last month that Sikorsky Aircraft was paying the entire cost. He recalled learning the company would fund the work and deciding the helipad should be more than a basic concrete landing pad.
According to Trump, the finished design will feature the official White House seal, including an eagle carved from granite.
While construction continues, Marine One has been landing on the Ellipse, located south of the White House grounds, instead of the South Lawn.
The helipad project is the latest in a series of renovations Trump has pursued in Washington during his second term. It also follows other significant changes at the White House that have drawn public attention.
Among those projects is the demolition of the East Wing to make way for a large ballroom, a proposal that has faced criticism from individuals who previously served first ladies.
Trump has also overseen several other changes to the White House grounds and surrounding areas. Those renovations include adding gold accents along the pathway leading to the West Wing, paving over the Rose Garden, and installing portraits of former presidents accompanied by partisan descriptions.
The president has referred to that display as the “Presidential Walk of Fame.”
The helipad project, meanwhile, continues as contractors work toward completing a landing area intended to accommodate Marine One while addressing the president’s expectations for both appearance and functionality. Whether the requested revisions will affect the construction timeline or budget has not yet been determined.
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