Donald Trump says White House helipad's granite top reads "The seal of the United States of America"

On Wednesday morning, President Trump walked reporters through the 100-foot granite helipad under construction on the South Lawn of the White House, adjacent to the South Portico, according to pool reports. He praised his own construction abilities and explained that the earlier landing area had to be redone because it was sloped. The new pad is for his VH-92A Patriot helicopter, whose exhaust reportedly damaged the grass during test landings. Trump noted that the granite top features the official United States seal, then autographed a stone for the pad; his name is also carved there. He said the helipad had been wanted for over half a century and was donated by Sikorsky. Some online critics, including a Democratic strategist, mocked the president’s focus on the project, with one person complaining about the expense while struggling to afford living costs.