President Donald Trump showcased the construction of a new helipad on the White House South Lawn, highlighting the project's cost and the material being used. The helipad, expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million, is designed with granite, which Trump described as capable of withstanding immense pressure.
"That's stone that, if you took a hammer and you started hammering right now - all day long - you wouldn't see a mark on it, literally, that's the kind of power it is," Trump told reporters on Wednesday, standing near the active construction site. He detailed that the granite could support 35,000 pounds per square inch of pressure and asserted that asphalt would be "not appropriate for a great house, or a great place like the White House."
The president also revealed that granite had replaced the walkway from the diplomatic entrance and a portion of the asphalt driveway around the South Lawn. He expressed a particular affinity for construction projects, stating, "One thing I know how to do is build," and drawing parallels to his background as a real estate developer.
Workers construct a helipad on the South Lawn of the White House, with ongoing work visible on a new White House ballroom in the background.
Trump, who has previously used media events to highlight renovations and construction, noted that the helipad project would impress visiting foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is scheduled to visit next month. The president emphasized that these projects are intended to last, stating, "This will be here long after we're gone. No matter what happens with the world."
In addition to the helipad, Trump also commented on the construction of a new White House ballroom, estimated at $400 million. He claimed it would incorporate advanced security features like anti-drone technology and described it as "the greatest military complex slash ballroom anywhere in the world." His administration had previously sought congressional funding for military improvements to the structure.
During the tour, Trump signed a piece of granite intended for the helipad's presidential seal, an eagle shape. He invited construction workers to sign it as well, joking about leaving his signature visible for future generations. "Nice job, fellas," Trump told the assembled workers. He also confirmed that work on the helipad had been temporarily delayed to ensure the surface was laid flatter. He further stated that the granite had "a million-year life" and predicted it "will never break. It will never leak. It will never do anything."