WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Monday started tearing down part of the East Wing, the traditional base of operations for the first lady, to build President Donald Trump’s ballroom despite lacking approval for construction from the federal agency that oversees such projects.

President Donald Trump insisted in July that the $250 million project, which he said he and private donors would finance, “won’t interfere with the current building.”

Part of the White House East Wing was demolished on Monday as President Donald Trump sets out to build a massive ballroom.

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Senate Republicans are headed to the White House — not for urgent talks on how to end it, but for a display of unity with President Donald Trump as they refuse to negotiate on any Democratic demands.

"Donald Trump is now officially demolishing part of the White House to make room for his $200 million golden ballroom. This comes as Americans can’t afford groceries and the government is still shut down," Bryan Tyler Cohen, a liberal podcaster, wrote on X, sharing the photo.

The Trump administration strategy is to try to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel from resuming an all-out assault against Hamas, U.S. officials said.

The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.

President Trump has sought to raise $200 million for a new White House ballroom — and has tapped these megacompanies and wealthy individuals for donations.