President Donald Trump showed off the new White House helipad to reporters Wednesday, detailing changes he ordered as crews race to finish the project before Chinese President Xi Jinping visits next month. The permanent landing site is being built for the next generation of Marine One helicopters, but Trump said he also expects to use the space for major meetings and events.
But it’s not just the helipad where Trump made changes. White granite now covers the walkway from the White House diplomatic entrance and part of the driveway around the South Lawn, replacing asphalt that Trump said was not appropriate for the White House.
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New helipad changes Marine One landings
The newer presidential helicopters are more powerful than the current fleet, creating concern that repeated takeoffs and landings could damage the South Lawn. The new granite helipad, about 100 feet across, would give Marine One a permanent place to land instead.
Trump said Wednesday that crews had already redone part of the project at his direction. He thought the original slope was too steep, so the work was regraded to make the landing area flatter.
He also spent several minutes talking about the white granite itself, telling reporters it could withstand 35,000 pounds of pressure per square inch and arguing it would hold up better than asphalt.
“You will never a crack on this granite,” he said. “If you took a hammer and you started hammering right now, all day long, you would not see where you hammered… That’s the kind of power it is.”
Some former pilots and officials have questioned the need for a permanent helipad and how it will change Marine One arrivals at the White House.
Crews push to finish before Xi arrives
Crews are working around the clock, with the helipad expected to be finished shortly before Xi’s planned late-September visit.
Trump said he expects the space to have uses beyond presidential helicopter landings.
“And again, this is going to be used for a lot of different celebrations, a lot of different big meetings,” Trump said, pointing to Xi’s visit as one example. “We didn’t plan to have this done, but it’s gone so well.”
Trump also showed reporters other work around the White House grounds, including the new granite walkway and driveway and improvements to the lawn.
Trump signs part of presidential seal
Before leaving, Trump signed the back of a carved granite eagle that will become part of the presidential seal built into the helipad. The stone was marked “Donald Trump 45-47 president,” and Trump invited construction workers to add their signatures as well.
“This will be here long after we’re gone,” Trump said. “No matter what happens with the world, this is not moving. This will take any kind of shot.”