Trump inaugurates White House helipad as major networks boycott event

The short version

• President Donald Trump held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the South Lawn on September 21, 2026, to inaugurate a new granite White House helipad.[PBS NewsHour]
• Major broadcast networks ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News collectively skipped coverage of the ceremony in protest after CNN was barred from White House grounds.[PBS NewsHour]
• The boycott followed an announcement by Trump banning CNN, Politico, and MS Now from covering the White House, prompting lawsuits from the organizations.[PBS NewsHour]
• Trump stated the privately funded project cost up to $6 million and was paid for by Sikorsky Aircraft to accommodate more powerful Marine One helicopters.[PBS NewsHour]

Key facts

• President Donald Trump unveiled a new granite helipad on the South Lawn on September 21, 2026, cutting a ceremonial ribbon before boarding Marine One.[Business Insider · PBS NewsHour]
• Major networks ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox News skipped coverage of the helipad ceremony in protest of CNN being barred from the White House grounds.[PBS NewsHour]
• Trump announced bans on CNN, Politico, and MS Now from White House coverage, leading all three outlets to file lawsuits against the administration.[PBS NewsHour]
• Trump estimated the helipad cost up to $6 million and said it was funded by Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft to prevent powerful new helicopters from damaging the lawn.[Business Insider · PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Trump shows off new White House helipad, but networks skip coverage during First Amendment fightPBS NewsHour - Politics · Wire: associated-press
• See Trump's first public liftoff from the $6 million Lockheed-funded helipad built to protect the White House lawnBusiness Insider metered