Washington DC - President Donald Trump on Tuesday brushed off criticism over the demolition of part of the White House to build a new ballroom, saying the sound of the construction work was "music to my ears."

Democrats have accused the Republican of failing to respect the presidential mansion, after pictures emerged of excavators tearing off the facade of the East Wing of the building.

As AFP journalists saw the demolition continue on Tuesday, Democrats also criticized him for pushing ahead with a $250-million plan while Americans face a government shutdown and a high cost of living.

But the 79-year-old property mogul insisted that the work needed to be done, and said that taxpayers would not pay for any of it.

"We're building a world-class ballroom. For 150 years, they've wanted a ballroom," Trump told a lunch for Republican senators at the White House as the grinding and beeping of machinery could be heard in the background.

"You probably hear the beautiful sound of construction to the back. You hear that sound? Oh, that's music to my ears. I love that sound."

Trump, who made his fortune in construction, added: "When I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. In this case, it reminds of lack of money because I'm paying for it."

The president has said that he is partly funding work on the giant ballroom, while private and corporate donors will cover the rest.

Last week, Trump hosted a glitzy dinner for donors with guests including several top US tech firms, but the White House has not released a list yet or given any figures.

The White House rejected what it called "pearl-clutching" from critics.

"In the latest instance of manufactured outrage, unhinged leftists and their Fake News allies are clutching their pearls over President Donald J. Trump's visionary addition of a grand, privately funded ballroom to the White House," it said in a statement.

It called the ballroom a "a bold, necessary addition that echoes the storied history of improvements and renovations from commanders-in-chief to keep the executive residence as a beacon of American excellence."

The White House also pointed out a series of works done by previous presidents – including what it said was President Barack Obama upgrading the tennis court into a full basketball court.

Trump has launched a major makeover of the White House in his second term, including paving over the Rose Garden where he hosted the Republican senators.

Democrats lashed out at Trump over the demolition work, comparing it to his own radical efforts to reshape the federal government and target his political opponents.

"The demolition of the East Wing feels very symbolic of what Trump is doing to our democracy," Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono said on X. "He'll lie about protecting it, then destroy it right in front of your face."

Senior Senator Elizabeth Warren said that while Americans faced a "skyrocketing" cost of living, "Donald Trump can't hear you over the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House to build a new grand ballroom."