During the New Year's Eve gathering at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump took on the role of an auctioneer, overseeing the sale of a significant artwork. The painting, which features an image of Jesus Christ, sparked intense bidding interest, ultimately concluding with a winning offer of $2.75 million. Funds obtained from this auction have been designated for charitable donation.
The auction began with an initial bid set at $100,000, quickly escalating as participants in attendance placed increasingly higher offers. A notable moment occurred when one bidder, identified by Trump as a prominent figure from Wall Street wearing a red MAGA hat, placed a $1 million bid. Trump expressed visible surprise upon this bid, commenting, "$1 million, woah!" and humorously suggested that the bidder’s recognizable hat might help him "catch people by surprise before he pumps the money out of their wallets."
Bidding continued upward with offers reaching $2 million and then $2.5 million. Trump lightly remarked that such amounts were "peanuts" compared to what his guests could afford. He even offered to personalize the painting with his autograph should the bidding escalate further, encouraging attendees to consider higher offers.
Eventually, the final and winning bid was placed at $2.75 million, marking the conclusion of the competitive auction. The total proceeds from this sale are pledged to benefit two organizations: St. Jude’s Hospital, known for its medical care and research, and the local sheriff’s office, which aligns with Trump’s past advocacy for law enforcement support.
The creator of the painting, Vanessa Horabuena, identifies as a Christian worship artist and has cultivated a substantial following on social media, amassing over 800,000 followers on Instagram alone. This high-profile auction not only brought attention to her artwork but also underscored the capacity of Trump’s events to engage participants in charitable fundraising at elevated levels.
This occasion at Mar-a-Lago underlines the ongoing influence that Trump maintains within his supporter base and his ability to mobilize significant financial contributions toward causes he endorses. The selection of beneficiaries for the auction proceeds reflects consistency with his established support for both healthcare and law enforcement institutions.