Christian artist Vanessa Horabuena described having her work auctioned by President Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve gala as an incredible experience Thursday.
Horabuena created a portrait of Jesus live on stage during the event, stating she felt God’s presence while painting. She recounted that President Trump told her, “I want you to have fun,” before she began the artwork. The piece was auctioned by Trump for $2.75 million to an unidentified audience member, with proceeds slated for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a local law enforcement agency.
Horabuena said many in the ballroom were moved by the experience, including “grown men coming up to me afterward in tears,” expressing how they felt God’s presence. She also noted that she sensed emotions from Trump throughout the event, stating: “I saw a video of him watching the whole time, and he didn’t take his eyes off of that moment.”
The artist described the entire experience as “surreal” and affirmed it was what God had been calling her to do.
