Donald Trump Sells Jesus Painting for $2.75 Million at New Year’s Eve Party

On New Year’s Eve in 2025, a painting event at Mar-a-Lago attracted significant attention as President Donald Trump auctioned a live-painted image of Jesus Christ during a party attended by notable figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The artwork, crafted in just 10 minutes by Christian speed artist Vanessa Horabuena, depicted a fair-skinned, light-eyed figure reminiscent of an AI-inspired Shroud of Turin. Trump praised Horabuena’s talents, highlighting her ability to create impressive paintings in a short time.

The painting sold for $2.75 million, with proceeds intended for charity, though the beneficiaries were not specifically named. The auction exemplified Trump’s strategy of intertwining religious imagery with his public persona, despite criticism from some religious leaders over policies seen as contrary to Christian values. Concurrently, the White House commemorated the U.S. 250th anniversary by projecting celebratory images on the Washington Monument, part of broader efforts to influence national historical narratives.