Trump Signs Helipad Plan for White House, Activates Construction on East Wing
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Last fall, construction crews acting under Trump’s orders abruptly tore down the East Wing of the White House, the first step in Trump’s plan to replace the historic building with an enormous ballroom. A conservationist organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, soon sued to stop the construction on the ballroom in a case that is still ongoing. Lower courts have thus far agreed with this plaintiff that the ballroom is illegal.
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The Guardian USThe National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its request less than a week after the Trump administration asked the nation’s highest court to allow the White House to continue construction on its $400m ballroom project during the appeals process.
PBS NewsHourPreservation group urges Supreme Court to suspend White House ballroom project The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed its request on Tuesday, less than a week after the Trump administration asked the nation's highest court to allow the White House to continue construction on its $400 million ballroom project.
USA TodayWASHINGTON – Finishing the president’s $400 million ballroom is a national security “imperative,” the Trump administration told the Supreme Court in its final written argument before the justices decide whether construction should be paused.
Washington TimesIt’s the latest of several changes Mr. Trump has made to the White House. He paved over the Rose Garden, installed a black granite walkway along the West Wing Colonnade, redesigned the Oval Office, placed two large American flagpoles on the North and South lawns, and demolished the East Wing to make way for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom.
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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump literally put his signature on his latest augmentation for the White House, a granite helipad that he said could double as a cocktail lounge.
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Washington TimesPresident Trump on Wednesday signed a marble piece that will be part of the new South Lawn helipad he says will be operational this month.
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The president has long argued that a helipad is necessary at the White House to accommodate the new Marine One because the advanced helicopter would ruin the South Lawn’s grass.
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USA TodaySikorsky Aircraft, which manufactures the helicopters known as Marine One when carrying the president, is paying an unspecified amount the White House estimated at $5 million for the helipad. The granite platform will be easier for pilots to land on than steel pads on the South Lawn, where more powerful engines tear up the grass, Trump said.
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Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 The Hill Watch live: Trump briefs reporters on ballroom project despite legal hurdles President Trump held an impromptu briefing from the South Lawn Wednesday, giving reporters an update on the White House ballroom project despite the legal battle. Trump last week urged the Supreme Court to immediately allow construction of the ballroom and berated lower court judges for halting it, insisting the project must proceed for national security…
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02 USA Today "This will be here long after we’re gone," Trump told reporters after signing a piece of the granite. "No matter what happens with the world, this is not moving."
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03 The Guardian US The administration “cannot identify any statute granting them ‘express authority’ to destroy a third of the White House and replace it with a massive, privately funded ballroom, because none exists”, trust attorneys wrote.
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04 Washington Times “For 50 years — more than that — they’ve wanted to have a heliport, but nobody knew how to go about it,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “And we are building a great heliport. It’s donated by Sikorsky, by the helicopter company, because we have helicopters that can’t even land here.”
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05 Vox The question of whether President Donald Trump may, without seeking permission from Congress, demolish much of the White House and replace it with his own projects is now before the Supreme Court.
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