On 19/8, U.S. President Donald Trump led reporters on a tour of the White House's new helipad, proclaiming, "This is the most elite helipad. It can accommodate any type of helicopter in the world, no matter how large, powerful, or robust."

The helipad, constructed from granite and approximately 30 meters wide, is located on the White House's south lawn. During the tour, Trump also signed the underside of a granite eagle-head slab intended for the helipad.

President Trump signs a commemorative slab of stone to be used for the White House helipad on 19/8. *Facebook/WhiteHouse*

To construct the facility, workers excavated a large section of the historic lawn behind the White House, where the Marine One helicopter typically lands to transport the President for short journeys. Trump asserted the new helipad was necessary because upcoming new versions of the Marine One helicopter could scorch or damage the grass. He added that pilots supported using the helipad instead of landing directly on the lawn, and the facility would also serve to host events and welcome foreign leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets workers and supervises the White House helipad project on 19/8. *Washington Post*

The project is expected to be completed a few days before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the White House in late September. "Perhaps we will be ready for President Xi. That would be great, but it is not a requirement," Trump said.

This helipad is the latest in a series of projects Trump has spearheaded to renovate the White House grounds, alongside a ballroom project under construction to replace the East Wing.

Ellipse Park, located south of the White House, adjacent to the new helipad construction area. *AP*

The new helipad project on the White House's south lawn, photographed from above on 19/8. *AP*

Workers and equipment at the White House's new helipad project on 17/8. *AP*

U.S. President Donald Trump signs a commemorative slab of stone to be used for the White House helipad on 19/8. *Washington Post*

The ballroom, spanning approximately 8,400 square meters, is designed to include an underground bunker and a rooftop drone pad. President Trump described it as the "largest military complex combined ballroom in the world." However, this project is currently facing legal challenges, and construction has been halted. The Trump administration last week requested the Supreme Court allow construction of the ballroom to resume, citing national security reasons.

Trump claimed the ballroom was privately funded, but U.S. media reported in June that the project could utilize significant budget funds and have a total cost of approximately 600 million USD. Trump aims to complete all White House renovation projects before his second term concludes in 1/2029.

By Thanh Danh (According to Washington Post, AFP)