Sayart.net - Trump Auctions Off Jesus Portrait Painted in Minutes at Mar-a-Lago Gala

Former President Donald Trump generated significant attention on New Year's Eve when he auctioned a freshly painted portrait of Jesus Christ for $2.75 million at his exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. The event, a lavish gala welcoming 2026, featured a charity auction attended by high-profile figures including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The painting was created live during the celebration by artist Vanessa Horabuena, who completed the work in approximately ten minutes while guests watched. Proceeds from the auction were designated to benefit a local children's hospital, adding a philanthropic element to the high-society gathering. The artwork was purchased by an anonymous couple who participated in the bidding during the New Year's festivities. Trump's Mar-a-Lago club has long been a venue for such exclusive events, where political allies, dignitaries, and wealthy supporters gather for holiday celebrations that often blend entertainment, politics, and fundraising. The New Year's Eve gala has become an annual tradition at the former president's private club, drawing scrutiny and fascination from both supporters and critics who monitor Trump's activities outside formal political settings. The presence of international figures like Netanyahu at a private Trump event underscores the continued relationships the former president maintains with global leaders. The live painting performance added an artistic dimension to the evening's entertainment, which also included musical performances and dinner service for the elite guest list. Horabuena, the artist commissioned for the performance, worked on a large black canvas as a band performed a slow rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," creating a dramatic atmosphere for her rapid artistic creation. Trump directed her to "draw something really special," though he admitted he didn't know what the final product would be, demonstrating his characteristic showmanship and willingness to embrace spontaneous spectacle. The resulting portrait, described by some observers as makeshift, nonetheless commanded the impressive seven-figure sum, reflecting both the charitable nature of the event and the premium attached to Trump-associated memorabilia. In video footage broadcast by Newsmax, Trump praised Horabuena's versatility, stating she could paint slowly and create a beautiful portrait for the White House or produce an incredible painting in literally ten minutes. This comment highlighted his appreciation for the performance aspect of the artistic process, where speed and spectacle combined with technical skill to entertain his guests. The auction price suggests that items connected to Trump continue to fetch high prices among his supporters, even when created in mere minutes. The former president's New Year's resolution, which he shared with attendees, was a wish for peace on Earth, a traditional sentiment that took on particular significance given his continued influence in Republican politics and international relations. The statement about peace on Earth in 2026 reflects Trump's ongoing engagement with global affairs and his positioning as a statesman, even while hosting private social events. The combination of a religious subject, rapid artistic creation, high-dollar fundraising, and political star power created a uniquely Trump-era cultural moment that blurred lines between politics, entertainment, and commerce. Such events demonstrate how Trump has transformed his private club into a nexus of political networking, cultural spectacle, and charitable fundraising, maintaining his public profile through carefully staged moments that guarantee media coverage. The success of the auction, regardless of one's assessment of the artwork's artistic merit, represents another example of Trump's ability to monetize his brand and convert social gatherings into substantial financial contributions for chosen causes.