As the U.S. continues its war with Iran, President Donald Trump gathered reporters at the White House on Wednesday to discuss his most pressing concern: his construction projects.
“We got rid of the asphalt here, and this is granite,” Trump said of a new driveway outside the White House. “And if you notice, it’s radial. Radial meaning it’s cut, about two degrees. Every stone is two degrees rounded.”
“One thing I know how to do is build,” Trump continued, claiming the previous driveway was in need of repair. “Nobody, including other presidents, they didn’t see it. But I see it, because I was very good at real estate. Maybe the best, in a lot of ways.”
Trump’s administration is expected to spend at least $900 million on construction projects at the White House, including his planned ballroom on the grounds where the East Wing stood before he tore it down.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press
Trump continued to brag in his Wednesday remarks about how his ballroom will also serve as a “military complex.”
“And the military complex is going to have a drone-proof roof,” he said. “And you’re going to have on top of the roof, you’re going to have drones. Many drones, which will protect Washington, D.C.. and will protect the White House. Very important.”
Trump then took reporters to see construction of his new South Lawn helipad, which he said was necessary because helicopters kept ripping up the grass. As he spoke, several yellow-vested construction workers stood behind him.
“And they couldn’t land on the grass because the power is so great of the engines that the grass would get ripped up,” Trump said of helicopters landing. “The grass was literally scattered all over the place.”
The Trump administration has pieced together funding for his projects in part from private donors. On Wednesday, Trump highlighted that his helipad was being paid for by “the company that manufacturers the helicopters.”
As for the grass replaced on the South Lawn, Trump gave a shoutout to the company that apparently did the work for free ― well, sort of.
“They actually contributed to my campaign, I must be honest,” Trump said. “You’ll probably figure that one out.”
Trump has asked the Supreme Court to let construction continue for his $400 million ballroom vanity project after the D.C. Circuit panel in a 2-1 ruling this month upheld a lower-court judge’s order directing the administration to halt above-ground construction.
Asked Wednesday if he believes the Supreme Court will rule against him, Trump seemed unbothered.
“Well, we hope that doesn’t happen,” he said. “I can’t imagine it happening.”