Trump-Hosted New Year’s Eve Gala Features $2.75 Million Portrait Sale, Political Vows
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A New Year’s Eve gala hosted by former President Donald Trump at his mar-a-Lago resort in Palm beach, Florida, featured the sale of a portrait by artist Sabela Horabuena for $2.75 million. The event,attended by a number of high-profile figures,also included remarks by Trump addressing alleged fraud in Minnesota’s Somali daycare programs.
Portrait Sale and the Rise of Speed Painting
The portrait,created through the increasingly popular technique of “speed painting,” quickly garnered attention as bidding escalated from an initial $100,000 to its final price of $2.75 million https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-new-years-eve-mar-a-lago-portrait-sale-netanyahu-rcna93398. Speed painting challenges artists to complete a work within a limited timeframe, and has gained traction through online platforms and viral performances.
Horabuena has previously exhibited her work at the White House, including portraits of Trump. In May 2023, she delivered a painting titled “Prayers for our President” to the White House, depicting Trump in prayer https://sabelahorabuena.com/prayers-for-our-president/. She described the piece as a reflection of “the place he can always turn when he needs a word from God.”
High-Profile Attendees and Political Remarks
The gala drew a notable guest list including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former New york City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, House Republican Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and Jeanine Pirro https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-new-years-eve-mar-a-lago-portrait-sale-netanyahu-rcna93398.
During the event, Trump also pledged to investigate alleged fraud related to taxpayer-funded Somali daycare programs in Minnesota. As of January 4, 2026, details regarding this alleged fraud and any formal investigations remain limited, and the claims have been subject to scrutiny https://www.startribune.com/trump-repeats-claims-of-somali-daycare-fraud-at-mar-a-lago-new-years-eve-gala/600242641/. Previous allegations of widespread fraud in these programs have been investigated and largely debunked.
Key Takeaways
* A portrait by Sabela Horabuena sold for $2.75 million at a New Year’s Eve gala hosted by Donald Trump.
* The event showcased the growing popularity of “speed painting.”
* High-profile attendees included international and U.S. political figures and business leaders.
* Trump used the event to reiterate claims of fraud in Minnesota’s Somali daycare programs.
The Mar-a-Lago gala highlights the continued intersection of art,politics,and high-profile social events within Trump’s orbit. As Trump remains a prominent figure in the political landscape, such events will likely continue to draw attention and generate discussion.