Trump plays White House tour guide to show off work on his helipad and ballroom

President Donald Trump took on the role of White House tour guide on Wednesday, showcasing the helipad construction he is overseeing on the South Lawn. The construction site is located just visible from the Washington Monument in Washington. Before autographing a piece of the helipad, Trump praised the granite being laid and boasted about the ballroom he aims to complete, despite facing legal hurdles.

The President raved about the granite, stating that it could withstand 35,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, adding that it would leave even visiting foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, "very impressed" during his upcoming visit in a few weeks. At times, Trump sounded like a construction manager, praising granite's superior strength over asphalt, which he believes is unsuitable for such a "great house, or a great place like the White House."

Trump explained that he opted for white granite over "really powerful concrete" as it provided a greater level of strength. The White House press pool was present to witness and document Trump's display of building prowess. Last year, Trump visited the roof of the briefing room to survey a future work site, and this summer, he led reporters on a closer look at the ballroom construction site.

These actions indicate that Trump remains committed to such projects, even as his war in Iran approaches its six-month mark, his approval ratings decline with less than three months until the crucial midterm elections, and as voters grow concerned about a weakening economy.