President Donald Trump officially opened a new granite helipad on the White House South Lawn on Monday as the nation’s major television networks suspended their shared coverage of presidential events.
Trump used oversized gold scissors to cut a red, white and blue ribbon before thanking members of the construction crew and boarding the latest version of Marine One.
The White House streamed the ceremony through its own social media channels. However, the helicopter’s running engines drowned out much of the president’s remarks because the television pool crew that normally supplies clear audio and video was absent.
Trump Calls the Helipad a “Work of Art”
The new White House helipad features extensive granite and a large presidential seal. Trump has described the project as a “work of art” and said its durable surface could last for generations.
He previously estimated that the project would cost between $5 million and $6 million and said it would be privately funded. A final independently verified cost breakdown was not immediately available.
The White House published video of Trump cutting the ribbon and opening the landing area on Sept. 21.
After the ceremony, Trump walked along a line of construction workers, shook their hands and thanked them for completing the project.
New Pad Built for the VH-92A Patriot
The helipad was designed to support the newer VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopter, which is larger, heavier and more powerful than the aircraft traditionally used for White House flights.
The helicopter’s downward-facing exhaust produces intense heat that could damage the South Lawn. The granite landing surface provides protection from that heat while supporting the aircraft’s additional weight.
Trump’s departure marked the first operational use of the new helipad. It was also the first time the VH-92A carried a president from the White House grounds while operating as Marine One.
The helicopter carried Trump to Joint Base Andrews, where he transferred to Air Force One for a flight to New York ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
Why the Television Pool Was Missing
The ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred during an escalating dispute between the Trump administration and several major news organizations.
ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and NBC News announced that they were suspending their participation in the White House television pool after the administration prevented CNN from completing its scheduled pool assignment.
The television pool is a rotating system under which one network records presidential events and distributes the footage to other news organizations. The arrangement allows a small crew to cover events when space, security or logistical restrictions prevent every outlet from bringing its own camera team.
The suspension meant there was no national television pool camera or specialized audio equipment at the helipad ceremony. News outlets could still report on the event, and the White House distributed its own video.
However, the absence of the shared feed left organizations such as C-SPAN and international news services without the independent footage they usually receive from the pool.
Networks Issue Rare Joint Statement
The five television networks released a joint statement defending independent access to the president.
“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” the networks said. “No administration should restrict a news organization because it objects to its reporting.”
CNN had been scheduled to provide the television pool coverage on Monday. The White House removed the network from the rotation after Trump announced that CNN, MS NOW and Politico would no longer receive access to the White House grounds.
The three organizations said they planned to challenge the restrictions in court, arguing that the administration had violated their First Amendment rights by retaliating against them over their reporting.
White House Defends Its Access Decisions
The White House rejected the accusation that its access policies violated press freedoms.
In a statement, the administration argued that changes to White House media access were not new and disputed the suggestion that every news organization had an automatic right to participate.
The dispute is not simply about whether reporters can watch White House events. Pool coverage provides independent video, audio and photographs that can be used by hundreds of news organizations that do not maintain permanent White House crews.
The network suspension also affects presidential travel because the rotating pool normally follows the president and documents public appearances outside Washington.
How Long Will the Suspension Last?
The networks had not announced when normal television pool coverage would resume. The length of the suspension may depend on whether the White House restores CNN’s participation or reaches another agreement with the pool members.
The dispute comes during a busy period for presidential diplomacy, including Trump’s appearance at the United Nations General Assembly and scheduled meetings with foreign leaders.
For now, the new helipad is operational, but the disagreement over who can independently record the president remains unresolved.