Live-painted Jesus portrait frames Trump's New Year call for 'peace on Earth'

A New Year's Eve gala at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate featured a live-painted portrait of Jesus Christ that sold for $2.75 million, framing Trump's public remarks. Against this backdrop, the president told attendees his resolution for 2026 was a wish for "peace on Earth."

Event Highlights and Charity Auction

The portrait was created onstage by artist Vanessa Horabuena, whom Trump praised as "one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world." He opened the bidding at $100,000, asking her to "draw something really special" and stating proceeds would be split between St. Jude's Children's Hospital and a local sheriff's department. The gala was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, alongside senior political and business figures including former adviser Rudy Giuliani and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Context of Charitable Scrutiny

The charity auction occurs in the long shadow of legal issues surrounding Trump's past philanthropic activities. His former charity, The Donald J. Trump Foundation, was dissolved by court order in 2018 after being found to have engaged in self-dealing and illegally misusing funds for political purposes, resulting in over $2 million in damages paid to eight charities. Throughout his career, Trump has faced repeated allegations of soliciting charitable donations without proper distribution.

Broader Political Remarks

Trump's call for peace came as reporters questioned him about a reported CIA-directed strike in Venezuela, with surveys indicating public confusion over his administration's aggressive stance toward the South American nation. The event underscored the blend of high-dollar fundraising, political theater, and diplomatic messaging that characterizes Trump's public engagements.