Former US President Donald Trump welcomed the new year of 2026 with a lavish and headline-grabbing event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The centrepiece of the evening was a live art performance that culminated in a multi-million dollar charity auction.
A Masterpiece Created in Minutes
The event featured artist Vanessa Horabuena painting a large portrait of Jesus Christ on a black canvas live on stage. Trump, who introduced and oversaw the auction, lavished praise on Horabuena, calling her "one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world." He marvelled at her ability to create a detailed painting in a matter of minutes, a feat he described as "incredible."
As Horabuena worked, a band played a slow rendition of 'Hallelujah.' Trump opened the bidding at $100,000, encouraging the artist to "draw something really special" and remarking to the audience, "I don't know how you do that." He announced that the proceeds would be split evenly between St Jude's Children's Research Hospital and the local sheriff's department, joking that the attendees were "loaded with cash."
The $2.75 Million Sale and Star-Studded Guest List
The painting ultimately sold for a staggering $2.75 million to an unidentified woman wearing a top hat. The gala attracted a host of prominent figures from politics, business, and media. Notable guests included:
- Former New York Mayor and Trump adviser, Rudy Giuliani.
- US 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.
- Jeanine Pirro, Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
When asked by reporters for his new year's resolution, Trump expressed a wish for "peace on Earth," a comment made against the backdrop of questions about a reported CIA-directed strike in Venezuela.
Political Rhetoric Amidst the Festivities
The New Year's Eve celebration, a decades-long Trump tradition where tickets cost $1,450, followed a day of vigorous activity on the former president's social media platform. In a series of posts, he launched attacks on various figures, labelling Colorado's Democratic Governor Jared Polis a "scumbag" and actor George Clooney as "mediocre." He also broadly accused Democrats of being "a bunch of cheaters and thieves."
Trump previewed a likely focus for his coming political messaging, alleging massive fraud in social services. "Can you imagine they stole $18 billion," he 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." He concluded by quipping, "Other than that, we're going to have a great New Year."
The Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve party, which has previously hosted celebrities like Martha Stewart and Tiger Woods, once again blended high society, political power, and controversy, marking the start of 2026 in signature Trump style.
