Without warning, Trump started construction on yet another project on the White House grounds; this time, building a granite helipad costing between $5 million and $6 million.
“This one is a beauty. It’s got the seal of the White House; it’s beautiful, the eagle,” he said.
The helipad joins a long list of Trump-led renovations, including demolishing the East Wing for a $400 million ballroom, paving over the Rose Garden, and installing a ‘Presidential Walk of Fame.’ While his vanity projects have sparked lawsuits, congressional disputes, and public outcry, Trump prefers to bulldoze first, and deal with the controversy later.
Why, you ask, does he need a new helipad?
“For 50 years, we’ve been landing helicopters on grass. The grass is wet, soggy. The helicopters sometimes missed their little mark.
“Our other Marine Ones are about 40 years old. They’re all like Air Force One, you know, it’s time to make a change. And other presidents wouldn’t do that because they think it’s not good to make a change to luxury. But you got to do it.”
Not done yet, Trump also purchased new helicopters to replace decades-old Marine One models, but no word yet on what they will cost the taxpayers.