There was already a serious controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s plans for a massive “triumphal” arch just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial, in front of Arlington National Cemetery. The story grew more serious last month amid reports that the president wants the arch to be built quickly. National Park Service documents suggested the administration expects 20 hours per day of construction, year round, in the hopes that it can be completed before the end of Trump’s second term.

The schedule on his White House helipad is, believe it or not, even more aggressive. The Washington Post reported:

The White House sped up construction of a new helipad and related work in anticipation of an “upcoming state visit,” requiring crews to work around-the-clock and driving the cost up by $875,000, according to a contractor’s records obtained by The Washington Post.

The $13 million project also includes work on the nearby South Portico and an adjacent portion of the White House driveway, which will be retopped with white stone, the contracting records show.

Construction of the helipad apparently started early last week, though White House officials were reluctant to acknowledge or provide details about the project. That changed this week as the president boasted about the endeavor during an unrelated event in the Oval Office.

“We’re building a helipad, beautiful helipad, and it’s got the seal of the White House on it in granite, in carved granite,” the Republican told reporters, confirming the project for the first time. He added that the price tag would run between $5 million and $6 million, and the costs would be covered by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary that ‌builds Marine One helicopters.

He didn’t mention the ambitious construction schedule or that he apparently wants this done before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in September.

What’s more, keen readers might notice the gap between the contracting records pointing to a $13 million project and Trump’s assurances about a helipad that costs $5 million to $6 million. That’s because the helipad construction isn’t the only related expense: It will also cost millions of dollars to cover planned work on the South Portico and the White House driveway.

Who will cover the difference? The White House hasn’t said, though if the recent ballroom revelations are any indication, it’s a safe bet that taxpayers will be on the hook.

As for the president’s enthusiasm for the project, the Post’s report (which has not been independently verified by MS NOW) added:

In the latest example of Trump’s deep involvement in efforts to reshape the White House and its grounds, the president was personally engaged in several aspects of the helipad project, from price negotiations to design minutiae, according to emails exchanged between Clark [Construction] and the White House in December.

Trump offered input on how far to extend the driveway and requested adding a slight slope to the pavers to facilitate better drainage, according to emailed notes from a Dec. 19 meeting with the president.

“POTUS wants to look at the option of a curved curb for the drive,” one email noted.

When it comes to governing and substantive policy work, Trump is easily bored and distracted. But when it comes time to settle on granular design details for his assorted renovations and ostensible beautification projects, the president is fully engaged.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

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