Trump auctions Jesus painting for charity at New Year’s Eve bash: 'I’ll sign it if you give more'

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: At his Mar‑a‑Lago Club in Palm Beach, President Donald Trump hosted a New Year’s Eve party and auctioned a speed painting of Jesus of Nazareth for charity.

The artwork created by artist Vanessa Horabuena will have its proceeds go to St Jude Children's Research Hospital and a local sheriff’s department.

Trump stood beside Vanessa as he was seen entertaining guests with his bidding style, drawing laughter and applause throughout the auction.

Trump entertains guests at New Year’s Eve auction

Trump began the bidding at "one million dollars" with an attendee then quickly raising it to two million dollars, drawing a remark from him, "Whoa… Two million… Wow."

He then continued, “You see what I mean when I tell you these people? And yet that’s peanuts.” Encouraging further bids, he added, “Anybody, I’ll sign it if you give more. Okay? Any other bids?”

When a bid of two million, five hundred thousand dollars was offered, Trump jokingly acted as if he had heard "five million," drawing laughter from the crowd.

He further joked with her, saying, "Her husband looked at her and said, 'What the hell is that on about, five million?'"

He then turned to the auctioneer, saying, "Uh, Eddie, we have two million, five. Two million, five. Anybody up here? You see what happens here, John? How about that for entertainment? How is that as entertainment? We can have great musicians, everything else.’”

Trump then praised Vanessa’s artistic contribution, saying, "She did something for us last night. She created a work of art. It was so incredible. I said, 'Could you come and do it again?' Right, John? And she was a hit. Do you notice? I said, 'No, let him stand on the floor.' Not one person left the floor."

Trump jokes about attendees having 'plenty of cash'

Trump invited Vanessa to continue enjoying the celebration. He said, "You’re invited to stay with us, Vanessa. Okay?" As the bidding continued, he acknowledged high bids with humor, saying, "Who is it? Oh, I know who that guy is. He’s got plenty of cash. Vanessa, you don’t want to know about some of these guys."

He linked the auction proceeds to charitable causes, saying, "It’s going to St Jude’s. It’s going to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s department."

As the auction concluded at two million, seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, Trump thanked the bidder and invited him on stage, saying, "I want to thank you. Come on up to the stage. Come on up here. Come on up."

The president, dressed in a tuxedo, briefly spoke to reporters outside the club’s ballroom, with first lady Melania Trump standing by his side in a silver dress. "Peace on Earth," Trump said in response to a question about his 2026 resolution, before heading inside for the New Year’s Eve bash.

Once inside the packed ballroom, Trump told guests the country is "doing great. We’re back. We’re strong."