Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned President Trump’s extravagant Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party after a viral video showed a caviar bar and an ice sculpture reading "2026 Happy New Year." Newsom linked the display of wealth to policy changes that experts warn could strip millions of health plans, citing CBO and KFF estimates. Lawmakers remain deadlocked over expired ACA subsidies, and Democrats recently passed a short-term measure to reopen the government pending a healthcare vote. Trump celebrated the holiday with high-profile MAGA allies and international guests.
Newsom Slams Trump’s Lavish Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Bash, Citing Millions At Risk Of Losing Health Coverage
Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images
California Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized President Donald Trump after a video from the president’s Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve celebration circulated online, showing an opulent caviar station and an ice sculpture engraved with “2026 Happy New Year.”
The short clip shows a chef plating caviar for a well-dressed guest as loud music and animated conversation fill the room. The footage sparked a stinging response from Newsom, who tied the ostentatious festivities to looming policy changes that critics say could strip millions of health insurance coverage.
“Don’t worry, 17 million Americans begin to get kicked off their health care this year.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom, post on X
Newsom’s comment references estimates about the potential effects of proposed cuts to Medicaid and subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office previously projected that, if certain reductions proceed, roughly 17 million people could lose health insurance by 2034. Separately, a KFF analysis found that more than 20 million ACA enrollees could face premium increases averaging about 114% this year if subsidies remain expired.
Trump speaks to guests during a New Year’s Eve event at his Mar-a-Lago home on December 31, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. / Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Lawmakers remain sharply divided over how to replace or extend the Obamacare subsidies that lapsed at the end of 2025. That stalemate contributed to a lengthy government shutdown late last year. In November, Democrats supported a short-term spending bill to reopen the government in exchange for a commitment to bring the contentious healthcare issue to a vote.
Despite those warnings, Trump hosted an elaborate New Year’s Eve event at his Palm Beach residence attended by prominent figures from the MAGA movement and international guests. Present were Eric Trump and his wife Lara, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, several conservative media personalities, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
A video shared by Donald Trump Jr. showed him dancing as rapper Vanilla Ice performed “Ice Ice Baby.” His Instagram caption read: “Ringing in the new year right. ICE ICE Baby!!!”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Newsom’s remarks.
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