While some people greet the New Year with traditional customs like a midnight kiss or eating grapes for luck, others start afresh with a multimillion-dollar art sale. At a New Year’s Eve gathering at Mar-a-Lago, attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other conservative leaders, President Donald Trump sold a live-painted Jesus likeness for $2.75 million.
The artwork, created in just ten minutes on stage by Christian worship artist Vanessa Horabuena, depicted a blue-eyed Jesus. As Horabuena painted, accompanied by religious music, she skillfully used ambidextrous brush strokes starting with a bright-yellow cross. Trump praised the artist, saying, “There’s a young lady named Vanessa who’s one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world.”
Trump spoke about Horabuena’s artistic ability to paint quickly and beautifully, referencing a White House portrait without clear context. Previously, Trump had replaced a portrait of President Barack Obama with an artwork depicting an assassination attempt, without disclosing the artist’s identity. He stated that Horabuena had created portraits of him, replacing many others.
The finished piece was a light-skinned, light-eyed Jesus, reminiscent of an AI version of the Shroud of Turin. Trump called it “amazing” and expressed a preference for Horabuena’s work. Before the auction began, Trump asked his sons, Donald and Eric, to choose favorite charities, announcing that proceeds would benefit the sheriff’s department and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. However, he did not specify which sheriff’s department.
The painting sold for nearly $3 million to an anonymous couple, significantly higher than Horabuena’s usual prices of $15,000 to $40,000. Concurrently, the White House marked the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding with projections on the Washington Monument, continuing nightly through January 5. This event aligns with Trump’s tendency to use religious symbolism, despite criticism from some religious leaders about his policies conflicting with Christian values. Hyperallergic has contacted Horabuena for her comments.
