Donald Trump's New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, once the hottest ticket in Florida's high society, faced a notable snub from sections of the Palm Beach elite as 2026 approached. Instead of braving the crowded 'madness', a significant circle of Trump loyalists opted for a more exclusive and low-key party hosted by a senior advisor just down the road.
The Elite Exodus from Mar-a-Lago
The shift in sentiment was stark. A well-connected Palm Beach insider told the Daily Mail that the attendees at Trump's bash are now perceived as 'grifters and people who think Trump is Jesus'. This disdain was reflected in the choices of several prominent figures. One Trump loyalist, who attended a previous year, dismissed the Mar-a-Lago ball drop as 'boring' and said he left early, opting to stay away entirely this time.
Ironically, the event at Mar-a-Lago still drew thousands, including MAGA luminaries such as former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. A live painting of Jesus Christ by artist Vanessa Horabuena was auctioned for $2.75 million for charity. Trump's children and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were also among the high-profile guests.
Alina Habba's 'Chill' Alternative Gathering
At the top of the list of those who gave the presidential party a miss was Alina Habba, former counselor to the president and acting US attorney for New Jersey. She decided to throw her own alternative New Year's event at her new Florida home. According to a source familiar, her party was deliberately 'chill' and 'intimate', with a small guest list of A-list government and White House staffers.
The guest list at Habba's home included notable figures such as FBI Director Kash Patel and his girlfriend, singer Alexis Wilkins. Even top Trump advisor Margo Martin, who started her evening at Mar-a-Lago, left around 10 PM to ring in the new year at the more subdued gathering. Social media images later showed Martin taking a selfie with Trump's special assistant, Chamberlain Harris, by a pool-side '2026' sign at Habba's property.
A Sign of Changing Tides?
The move by insiders to avoid the 'chaos' of Mar-a-Lago suggests a possible shift in the social dynamics around Trump's orbit. A source indicated that many preferred to 'opt out of the chaos and the madness', especially those who work in Washington DC for most of the year and sought a quieter celebration. Habba's family-friendly party, which included her children and guests like podcaster Siggy Flicker, presented a stark contrast to the crowded spectacle at the club.
This snub comes after a year of controversy for Habba, who was appointed by Trump as acting US attorney for New Jersey in March 2025 despite having no prosecutorial experience. She resigned in December 2025 after an appeals court ruled her appointment unlawful. Meanwhile, President Trump celebrated with thousands at Mar-a-Lago, marking the impending end of his first year back in office.
