President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed his name onto a slab of a new granite helipad being constructed on the White House South Lawn, showcasing the project for reporters. "It's very exciting, very exciting, and I think it will be here for a long time," Trump said.
The helipad, which will feature the U.S. seal, is intended to accommodate Marine One and visiting foreign dignitaries, and may also be used for events or news conferences. Trump announced the helipad in July, stating that Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the Marine One fleet, would cover the full cost, estimated at $5 million to $6 million. On Wednesday, he reiterated that Sikorsky was paying for a significant portion, with additional funding from "donations from numerous people, including me."
A spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky's parent company, confirmed to ABC News last month that its contribution was made to the National Park Service and that its work with the administration adheres to ethics and compliance standards.
Crews are working on the helipad from early morning until midnight. Trump mentioned that he had requested the helipad be raised to account for a slope on the lawn, which caused a delay of about a week and a half. The president also said that his signature, along with those of project leaders, will be inscribed on the back of the eagle's head within the U.S. seal and will not be visible once the project is finished.
The helipad is being built to facilitate trips for newer Marine One helicopters that have previously been used at other locations due to concerns about burning the South Lawn's grass. The completion date is approaching, with a construction worker suggesting it could be ready by August 21st. Trump noted that it would be "very nice" if the helipad were finished before Chinese President Xi Jinping's scheduled visit on September 24.
