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.

Construction crews on Monday began demolishing part of the East Wing, the part of the White House complex that houses the offices of the first lady, as part of Donald Trump’s plans for building a $250 million ballroom that will dominate the grounds.

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.”

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

The U.S. Secret Service began placing anti-scale fencing around the White House on Thursday, ahead of potential demonstrations this weekend.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -White House budget director Russell Vought said on Wednesday he wants to close the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau even though President Donald Trump's administration has argued in court that there is no such plan.