'Something very special': Live Jesus portrait auctioned at Trump's Mar-a-Lago New Year bash — why it stood out

US President Donald Trump marked the New Year at his Mar-a-Lago resort with a live painting of Jesus Christ created onstage. The artwork was later auctioned for charity before a high-profile audience at the event.

“I want to just do something very special,” Trump told guests as the presentation began. “This is very different.”

The painting, produced in minutes during the black-tie New Year’s Eve event hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, became the focal point of the evening at the Palm Beach club.

Painting takes centre stage at New Year’s eve

The artwork was created by Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena, who was invited to the stage inside the Donald J Trump Grand Ballroom as music played and guests looked on. Working rapidly on a large black canvas, Horabuena painted a portrait of Jesus while Trump watched from nearby.



Ten minutes later, the image was complete, drawing applause from the audience as worship music filled the hall. Trump praised Horabuena, calling her “one of the greatest living artists” and highlighted her ability to produce a finished work at remarkable speed.

Horabuena later said she had painted in front of Trump earlier in the week and claimed he had watched her work closely before asking her to repeat the performance for New Year’s Eve.

After the painting was completed, Trump stepped forward to auction the still-wet artwork to the highest bidder, telling guests the proceeds would be donated to charity. He also offered to personally sign the painting to encourage higher bids.

The bidding opened at $100,000 and climbed steadily as Trump addressed bidders in the crowd, at one point joking that many in the room were “loaded with cash,” CNN reported.

The auction concluded at $2.75 million, with the proceeds split between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a local sheriff’s department. “It’s going to St. Jude’s. It’s going to the sheriff’s office. We have two million seven fifty,” Trump announced after the final bid.



Horabuena has an established history with Trump and his political circle. She previously painted him at the Liberty Inauguration Ball and has said one of her portraits of the president was used as his phone screensaver, according to Daily Beast.

In a 12-minute video shared on Facebook, Horabuena described the New Year’s Eve performance as a spiritually significant moment, saying Trump had shown deep interest in her work.

High-profile guests attended event at Mar-a-Lago

The live painting and auction took place during Trump’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, often referred to as his “Winter White House.”



The event was attended by First Lady Melania Trump and a select guest list that included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, members of the Trump family, senior administration officials and business leaders.



Guests in tuxedos and evening gowns gathered under heightened security for dinner, music and fireworks. Earlier in the evening, Trump briefly told reporters that his resolution for the coming year was “Peace on Earth.”