President Donald Trump ushered in 2026 with a high-profile, black-tie New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, surrounded by family, foreign leaders, and prominent figures from his political orbit. The glittering event, held on Thursday, 1 January 2026, featured a headline-grabbing charity auction where a speed-painted portrait of Jesus Christ fetched a staggering $2.75 million.
A Gathering of Trump's Inner Circle and International Allies
The guest list for the lavish party read like a who's who of Trump's political and personal world. Most notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara were in attendance, having held official meetings with Trump at the estate earlier in the week. The president's immediate family was present, including First Lady Melania Trump, who wore a shimmering silver gown, and his youngest son, Barron Trump, aged 19. His older sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were also pictured at the event.
The MAGA-aligned contingent was strongly represented. Former New York City Mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani was spotted, alongside figures such as U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The event also drew House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and Hollywood director Brett Ratner.
High-Value Auction and Revelry Mark the Festivities
A central feature of the evening was a charity auction. Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena created a speed-painted portrait of Jesus during the event, which was then sold for $2.75 million. President Trump announced that the proceeds would be donated to St. Jude's Hospital and a local sheriff's office.
The party atmosphere was captured in videos shared on social media. Footage showed Trump's immigration czar, Stephen Miller, awkwardly mouthing lyrics to Vanilla Ice's performance of "Ice Ice Baby," while Secretary Kristi Noem danced more enthusiastically nearby. Conservative radio host Howie Carr posted a photo from the party with the caption: "where the champagne is cold, the liberals are warm… and still mad."
Political Undertones Amidst the Celebration
Despite the festive setting, political themes were never far from the surface. In his welcome to revellers, Trump attacked Democratic leadership in Minnesota over fraud allegations, boasted about his reciprocal tariffs programme, and stated his New Year's resolution was for "world peace." However, according to reports, he sidestepped questions regarding ongoing U.S. actions in Venezuela and negotiations with Ukraine's President Zelensky.
In the lead-up to the bash, Trump had used his Truth Social platform to address a range of contentious issues, from border security to plans for withdrawing National Guard troops from several major U.S. cities. Far-right activist Laura Loomer interpreted Netanyahu's presence as a pointed political statement, writing on X that it felt like Trump's way of saying "F you to the Neo Nazis."
The Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve event ultimately served as a potent blend of celebration, fundraising, and political theatre, showcasing the former president's continued influence and the loyal network that surrounds him as the new year began.
