President Donald Trump unveiled a new granite helipad on the South Lawn of the White House on September 21, 2026. The event was not covered by major television networks due to escalating tensions between the White House and the media. Trump used golden scissors to cut a red, white, and blue ribbon, referring to the helipad as 'a work of art.' The project, which features the seal of the United States, is estimated to have cost $6 million.
The White House broadcast the event on its social media channels, but the sound of Marine One, the presidential helicopter, made it difficult to hear Trump's remarks. Earlier that day, the television networks announced a suspension of the TV pool after the White House barred CNN from participating. In response, the White House stated that access changes are not new and criticized the media's claim that access should be granted only to friendly outlets.
The absence of a national media TV camera has implications for news organizations that rely on pool footage for audio and video of presidential events. C-SPAN, which airs government events, also depends on this footage. A representative from C-SPAN noted that without a pool feed, they would not be able to show the president's event.
After the ribbon-cutting, Trump thanked construction workers and boarded Marine One to depart for Joint Base Andrews, from where he would take Air Force One to New York for the UN General Assembly. The new helipad was built to accommodate the VH-92A Patriot helicopter, which is heavier and generates more heat than previous models, potentially damaging the grass on the South Lawn.
This helipad is one of several construction projects initiated during Trump's second term, which also includes a new ballroom and an arch. The duration of the media blackout remains uncertain, as Trump has a busy week ahead, including meetings with foreign leaders and a state visit from President Xi Jinping of China. A joint statement from ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media, and NBC News emphasized the public's interest in receiving accurate information about the government and criticized the administration's restrictions on news organizations.