President Donald Trump took on an unexpected role to ring in the New Year — serving as auctioneer during a high-energy New Year’s Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Wearing a tuxedo and addressing a packed room of supporters and donors, Trump personally led a live charity auction for a painting of Jesus Christ — and the bidding escalated at a pace that stunned even the former president.
Trump opened the auction at $100,000. Within moments, guests began shouting out higher offers.
When one attendee jumped straight to a $1 million bid, Trump paused and reacted with visible surprise.
“$1 million? Whoa!” Trump said, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd.
Trump joked that the bid was hardly shocking, explaining that the mystery bidder was a heavyweight from Wall Street and that the seven-figure offer was “peanuts” for him. He added that the man’s red MAGA hat often allows him to catch people off guard before “pulling the money right out of their wallets.”
The room quickly grew louder when another voice called out a $2 million bid.
“$2 million? Whoa,” Trump repeated, again joking that the amount was nothing for many in attendance.
Sensing the crowd’s excitement, Trump raised the stakes, telling guests he would personally autograph the artwork if the bidding continued climbing. The move worked.
A $2.5 million offer followed almost immediately. Trump laughed and briefly teased the crowd, joking about whether he heard “$5 million” or “$2.5 million,” as cheers echoed through the ballroom.
Trump then reminded everyone that the evening was just getting started.
“It’s going to be amazing,” he said, referring to the New Year’s Eve celebration.
The auction ultimately closed at a winning bid of $2.75 million. Trump jokingly warned the winning bidder not to make the offer if it meant filing for bankruptcy the next morning, then winked and invited him up to the stage.
The painting was created by Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena, who has built a large following online. Earlier in the evening, she painted the image of Jesus live in front of attendees in about ten minutes — a moment that added to the dramatic atmosphere of the event.
Trump told the crowd that the millions raised would go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the local sheriff’s office, earning strong applause for the charitable effort.
Earlier in the night, Trump set the tone with remarks criticizing alleged fraud in Minnesota.
“They stole $18 billion,” Trump told the crowd, energizing supporters before the night’s festivities began.
The New Year’s Eve event showcased Trump’s trademark showmanship — blending humor, fundraising, and political commentary — while raising millions for charity in the process.