Former US President Donald Trump welcomed the year 2026 with a lavish New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, headlined by a high-stakes charity auction. The star lot was a portrait of Jesus Christ, painted live on stage, which ultimately sold for a staggering $2.75 million.
A Spectacle of Art and Charity
The event featured artist Vanessa Horabuena creating the large painting in real time as a band played a slow rendition of 'Hallelujah'. Trump, who presided over the auction, lavished praise on Horabuena, calling her "one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world" and marvelling at her ability to create a compelling work in minutes.
Opening the bidding at $100,000, Trump encouraged the crowd to "draw something really special", later revealing that the proceeds would be split evenly between St Jude's Children's Hospital and the local sheriff's department. He quipped to the artist about the affluent audience, noting, "These people are loaded with cash, just so you know." The winning bid was placed by an attendee described as a woman in a top hat.
A Glitzy Gathering of Notable Figures
The exclusive gala, where tickets cost $1,450, attracted a host of prominent figures from politics, business, and media. The guest list included:
- Former Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara
- Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani
- Film director Brett Ratner
- House Republican Tom Emmer
- DC Attorney General Jeanine Pirro
This continues a long-standing Trump tradition, with past events featuring celebrities like Martha Stewart, Serena Williams, and Rod Stewart.
New Year Wishes Amidst Political Commentary
When asked by reporters for his New Year's resolution, Trump expressed a desire for "peace on Earth". This sentiment was offered even as he fielded questions about a reported CIA-directed strike on a dock in Venezuela.
The festive evening followed a day of characteristically volatile social media activity from Trump. In a series of posts, he labelled Colorado's Democratic Governor Jared Polis a "scumbag", called actor George Clooney "mediocre", and broadly accused Democrats of being "a bunch of cheaters and thieves". He also touted his administration's tariff policies, claiming they had reaped "a World Record on investments".
Furthermore, he previewed a likely focus for the coming days, alleging massive fraud in state social services. "Can you imagine they stole $18 billion," Trump stated, referring to an investigation in Minnesota. He claimed the situation was worse in California, Illinois, and New York, vowing, "We're going to get to the bottom of all of it. It was a giant scam. Other than that, we're going to have a great New Year."
