Trump Hosts New Year’s Eve Auction for Charity at Mar-a-Lago
At a lavish New Year’s Eve celebration in Palm Beach, Florida, President Donald Trump turned a festive gathering into a charitable event by auctioning a portrait of Jesus Christ. The painting, executed in just 10 minutes by noted “Christian worship painter” Vanessa Horabuena, fetched a remarkable $2.75 million.
The funds generated from the sale will be split between St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and a local sheriff’s office. Trump, addressing the elegant crowd, underscored Horabuena’s talent, describing her as “one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world.” To the attendees, he declared, “To me, she’s one of the greatest. … She’s a speed painter, and she’s a great painter, but I think she’s one of the great living artists.”
Tickets for the gala were priced at $1,450, as per The Independent. Horabuena, known for her religious-themed art, has previously been invited to the White House to present her work, including a piece titled “Prayers for our President,” which she personally delivered last May.
Just a typical Wednesday night at Mar-a-Lago: prophetic painting, exalting Jesus, and holding a mini revival pic.twitter.com/WNYSL7yd0n
— Michael Wilkerson (@MW_Stormwall) January 1, 2026
Horabuena impressively completed the Jesus portrait amidst a backdrop of worship music, and bids for the artwork started at $100,000. In a lighthearted moment, Trump teased that a “biggest guy on Wall Street” made an initial bid of $1 million, insinuating it was a trivial amount for someone of his stature. A woman in a top hat, later identified by CNN, ultimately secured the piece for $2.75 million.
???? JUST IN: AUCTIONEER President Trump at Mar-a-Lago for the painting of Jesus Christ, for charity and the sheriff
” million, whoa! million. I’ll sign it, if you’ll give MORE!” ????
“Any other bids? .5 million! Going once? .75 million!”
“.75M. Do I hear a M?”
“Yes?… pic.twitter.com/uCMYKjV5fi
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 1, 2026
Speed painting, an art form requiring rapid execution, is gaining traction thanks to digital innovations. Despite spending the day posting critical remarks about political figures on Truth Social, Trump adopted a conciliatory tone at the event, expressing a wish for “peace on Earth” in the new year.
In his address, Trump also pledged to uncover fraud in Minnesota’s taxpayer-funded Somali daycares, referring to it as a “giant scam.” Prominent guests at the event included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, House Republican Whip Tom Emmer, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
