local
Trump says he’s building a White House helipad for a new, more powerful Marine One
By ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 6, 2026
· 5 min read
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he’s building a granite helipad on the White House lawn, insisting that the landing area is needed to accommodate new, more powerful presidential choppers.
Confirmation of the project came as construction crews had already begun working on...
Key takeaway Confirmation of the project came as construction crews had already begun working on the helipad on the South Lawn, where the president had UFC build a temporary arena for a cage fight celebrating his 80th birthday.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
Minneapolis residents may wonder how a new White House helipad affects them, but the project's connection to local industry is notable. As a major hub in the Twin Cities area, Minneapolis is home to several companies involved in defense contracting and aviation. The involvement of Lockheed Martin, a prominent player in the defense industry, in funding the helipad project may have implications for local businesses and jobs. Additionally, the mention of Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, highlights the company's presence in the region and its contribution to the national defense infrastructure. While the helipad itself is a federal project, its connections to local industry and the national defense ecosystem make it relevant to Minneapolis' economic and business landscape. The project's privately funded nature, estimated to cost up to $6 million, may also spark interest among local leaders and businesses in the potential for similar public-private partnerships in the Twin Cities area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday that he’s building a granite helipad on the White House lawn, insisting that the landing area is needed to accommodate new, more powerful presidential choppers.
Confirmation of the project came as construction crews had already begun working on...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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