President Donald Trump plans to dig up the South Lawn and install a permanent helipad, marking the latest in a series of extensive White House renovations.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Trump has already paved over the Rose Garden, installed black granite walkways, redesigned the Oval Office, added flagpoles, and demolished the East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. And now, the President is justifying the helipad by citing the new VH-92A Patriot helicopter's exhaust, which can burn grass in hot conditions and is 6,200 pounds heavier than the aging VH-3D Sea King it replaces.
Officials have known about potential lawn damage since a 2018 Government Accountability Office report. Rather than modify the aircraft, Trump —a former developer— is proposing to rip up the iconic lawn. The South Lawn serves as a backdrop for Easter Egg Rolls and state arrivals.
Trump also plans to permanently install a helipad at Mar-a-Lago, with potential taxpayer-funded infrastructure benefiting his private club. The Palm Beach town council is now evaluating the request — submitted by the U.S. Secret Service.
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