New Delhi: President Donald Trump gave the media a first-hand look at the ongoing construction of the new White House helipad, walking reporters through the site.
On Wednesday, Trump led reporters on a tour of the planned helipad on the White House’s South Lawn, where workers have been building the facility around the clock.
Trump approved the project after current and former officials spent years trying to find a solution for accommodating the next generation of Marine One helicopters, which could potentially damage the lawn with their heat.
“This will be here long after we’re gone,” Trump said, adding that his signature on the granite slab should be positioned facing upward instead of being placed face down as originally planned. He also encouraged several members of the construction crew and White House officials to leave their signatures too, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Several pictures of Trump at the construction site were also shared on social media. One showed the US President interacting with the crew. In another photo, Trump can be seen signing the underside of a granite slab, which will be a part of the 100-feet-wide helipad.
“A new era for the White House”, the caption read on the photo shared by the White House. “President Trump shows off the beautiful new White House helipad to the press, etching his name into history and giving massive credit to the construction crew who helped make the helipad a reality.”
Builder-in-Chief. ⛏️
“This is a helipad at the highest level. It can land any helicopter in the world, no matter how big, no matter how powerful, no matter how strong.” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/u4XqY6fegc
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 19, 2026
The post quickly drew mockery and criticism on social media, with some users targeting Trump over the project and his decision to highlight the new helipad.
Another user on X highlighted the financial struggles being faced by many Americans as Trump continues to invest in projects such as the helipad.
“Meanwhile, real Americans aren’t signing multi-million dollar renovations, they’re trying to figure out how to afford food, housing, gas and utilities just to exist”, an X comment reads, while sharing 2026 inflation rates.
During the tour, Trump was also seen discussing the detailed work being carried out on the helipad, joking with construction workers and gesturing toward his other projects.
“Most people leave their name on a document. This man put his on the helipad”, wrote another user on X.
Trump also noted that the helipad would have a “secondary use” beyond accommodating Marine One. He said it could be used to host events and help welcome foreign leaders.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the White House on September 24, 2026, for a one-day visit. Trump seemed pleased after workers told him that the helipad was on track to be completed by September 21, just two days ahead of Xi’s scheduled visit.
“We might make it for President Xi,” Trump said. “That’d be nice but not imperative.”
(Edited by Aakriti Handa)