Donald Trump is building a granite helipad on the White House South Lawn. The project, estimated to cost up to $6 million, is intended to accommodate new, more powerful Marine One helicopters and will be privately funded. Construction crews have begun work on the helipad, which will feature a carved official seal of the White House.

One set of sources, cited by outlets in China, other regions, social media and Western media, quoted Trump directly saying he is building the helipad. Another source, reported by other outlets, said the Trump administration has not commented on the helipad plans.

According to the Times of India, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, will fund the new granite helipad. Bluesky reported that the helipad plan is part of a wider set of changes to the White House and Washington monuments that have faced lawsuits and historic preservation criticism. The Times of India also noted that new Marine One helicopters have been damaging the South Lawn grass significantly. Forbes reported that Trump and the White House have not commented on the helipad plans.