Trump has long said the new helipad would impress Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrives on Wednesday for a state visit
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 3:13am, 22 Sep 2026Updated: 3:24am, 22 Sep 2026US President Donald Trump showed off his new White House helicopter landing pad on Monday, attempting to brush aside a First Amendment firestorm even as major television networks kept their cameras away because CNN was not allowed to cover the event.
Trump used oversized gold scissors to cut a red, white and blue ribbon. He then exchanged handshakes with officials wearing green construction smocks and hard hats – seeking to portray business as usual.
The noise of his waiting helicopter meant Trump did not answer shouted questions before climbing aboard Marine One for a flight to New York.
Trump has long crowed about how the new helipad – featuring extensive granite that the president boasts will have “million-year life”, as well as a large insignia reading the “Seal of the President of the United States” – would impress Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrives on Wednesday for a state visit.
