On New Year's Eve, Donald Trump held a celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he auctioned a live-painted portrait of Jesus Christ by artist Vanessa Horabuena for $2.75 million. The auction commenced with a starting bid of $100,000, and Trump indicated that half of the proceeds would support St. Jude's Children's Hospital, while the other half would be allocated to the local sheriff's department.

The event drew notable attendees, including former adviser Rudy Giuliani, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani. Tickets for the gala were priced at $1,450. During the event, Trump humorously remarked on the financial capabilities of the guests and pledged to sign the painting for the highest bidder.

Trump expressed a desire for "peace on Earth" during the festivities, which took place amid discussions regarding a reported CIA-directed operation in Venezuela. This New Year's celebration is part of a tradition for Trump that has persisted for at least two decades.

In addition to the auction, Trump utilized social media to criticize various political figures and reiterated claims of significant electoral fraud in states such as California and New York. He framed these allegations as a critical issue for his administration moving forward. The event also occurred against a backdrop of concerns among Republicans regarding the upcoming midterm elections, with economic management being a focal point of voter sentiment. GOP strategist Karl Rove has cautioned that the public may be growing weary of Trump's rhetoric, suggesting that overpromising could lead to voter dissatisfaction.