Trump accelerates White House helipad construction ahead of Xi Jinping visit

President Donald Trump has initiated another costly White House renovation, with an accelerated construction timeline adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the project's price tag.

According to records from Clark Construction obtained by The Washington Post, the administration sped up construction of a new helipad on the White House's South Lawn, increasing costs by $875,000.

The overall project—which includes installing the helipad, renovating the South Portico, and resurfacing the driveway with white stone—already carries a price tag of $13 million.

Contractor documents revealed that Clark Construction received a last-minute demand to complete the work by September 17, in anticipation of an "upcoming state visit." The request came just days after Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the White House on September 24.

A Pattern of Rising Costs

This is not the first time a Trump White House renovation budget has escalated significantly:

• Trump originally claimed his White House ballroom project would cost only $200 million.
• That figure later rose to $300 million, and then to $400 million after he added extra construction.
• Last month, a bombshell report revealed taxpayers would be responsible for half of a $600 million total cost.

Funding Questions Remain

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump announced that Sikorsky—a Lockheed Martin subsidiary that builds Marine One helicopters—would cover the cost of a $5 million to $6 million helipad, complete with a White House seal carved from granite.

It remains unclear who is funding the remainder of the multimillion-dollar project.

Read more about the helipad: Trump Begins Another White House Renovation Project With No Notice

World Cup Controversy: Political Interventions Raise Integrity Concerns

President Trump's intervention to overturn a red card ban on U.S. Men's National Team player Folarin Balogun has sparked a series of appeals and raised questions about the integrity of the World Cup tournament.

France Appeals Yellow Card Decision

The French national team has appealed to FIFA to rescind a yellow card issued to Michael Olise during Saturday's match against Paraguay. Olise was penalized for a tackle involving contact with Paraguayan Matias Galarza's face, though replays showed Olise only held Galarza's shirt.

While a yellow card does not directly result in a suspension like a red card, France argues that overturning Balogun's suspension has set a precedent.

Broader Political Involvement

The French appeal follows other political interventions in World Cup matters:

• United Kingdom: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intervened with FIFA to prevent England's match against Mexico from being rescheduled to an earlier time due to weather concerns. England argued they would not have sufficient time to train for high-altitude conditions at Mexico's Estadio Azteca.
• England Red Card Appeal: British Attorney General Richard Hermer may also intervene with FIFA to overturn a red card issued to England player Jarrell Quansah during Sunday's match against Mexico, according to The Telegraph.

FIFA Denies Belgium's Appeal

FIFA has denied an appeal from Belgium challenging the decision to lift Balogun's red card.

The red card was issued after Balogun awkwardly stepped on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemović's ankle during Wednesday's match. Hours after the game ended, Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to complain about the decision. On Sunday, FIFA's disciplinary committee announced it was overturning Balogun's suspension.