President Donald Trump celebrated New Year’s Eve at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, offering guests a glimpse into the lavish festivities. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump, who donned an elegant shimmering silver dress, Trump arrived shortly before 9 p.m. at the grandly decorated Donald J. Trump ballroom, which showcased a black carpet bearing the phrase “Happy New Year Mar-a-Lago” in gold letters.
Trump’s New Year’s Resolution and Public Remarks
During the event, when asked about his New Year’s resolution, Trump expressed his hope for “world peace.” However, he sidestepped queries regarding recent international events, including a reported CIA strike in Venezuela and potential U.S. military involvement in Ukraine.
On stage, the president highlighted the successes of his administration over the first 11 months of his current non-consecutive term. He referenced the substantial revenue generated from tariffs, stating, “We’re taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs,” and reiterated a promise of $1,776 checks for military service members. Trump claimed, “We’re doing great as a country. We’re back. We’re strong. I didn’t think it could happen this fast. It’s happening faster than anybody thought possible.”
Art Auction for Charity
As part of the gala, Trump presided over an auction featuring a painting of Jesus Christ’s face, created by artist Vanessa Horabuena. The auction commenced with a starting bid of $100,000; however, Trump refrained from placing additional bids. When a participant increased the bid to $1 million, the president remarked that the bidder was “the biggest guy on Wall Street.” Ultimately, the painting sold for an impressive $2.75 million. Although Trump mentioned that the proceeds would go towards St. Jude Children’s Hospital and a local sheriff’s department, he did not specify which department would benefit.
Social Media Activity
On the day of the gala, Trump was also active on social media, posting extensively about a range of topics. His posts included allegations regarding voter fraud in Minnesota and warnings about fraud levels in California. He referred to the Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz as “crooked” and made claims about the demographic backgrounds of alleged fraud perpetrators.
Further discussing national issues, Trump criticized Democrats, describing them as a “bunch of cheaters and thieves” and called for enhanced voter identification laws. He urged fellow Republicans to cease funding to large insurance companies. In a broader economic context, he claimed that his administration’s tariff policies had significantly boosted investments, yielding trillions of dollars more than what China received.
Support for Border Patrol
Trump also praised the efforts of the Border Patrol, expressing pride that more than half of its members are of Hispanic heritage. He emphasized the importance of this demographic in the context of immigration enforcement, stating, “There is no group I am more proud of than Border Patrol and ICE.” He reiterated the motto of his campaign, aiming to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Finally, he announced the removal of the National Guard from cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, suggesting a potential return should crime rates escalate in the future. “Only a question of time!” he added, implying ongoing concerns regarding public safety.
The New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago not only illustrated the president’s personal celebrations but also highlighted his ongoing political messaging and public engagement as he enters a new year.