President Trump ended his Mar‑a‑Lago holiday by overseeing a surprise operation aimed at Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro while simultaneously engaging in a string of personal activities. He posted on Truth Social about Iran and other topics, inspected marble and onyx for a proposed $400 million White House ballroom, and auctioned a painting for $2.75 million at a New Year’s Eve gala. Supporters described the mix as vigorous multitasking; critics argued it showed distraction during serious military planning.
Marble, Mockery and Military Moves: Trump’s Dizzying Mar‑a‑Lago Holiday
U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade sits in an industrial park as Trump stops to purchase marble and onyx for the White House ballroom from Arc Stone and Tile in Lake Worth, Florida, U.S., January 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Palm Beach, Florida, Jan 3 — U.S. President Donald Trump capped a holiday stay at Mar‑a‑Lago by overseeing a surprise operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro early Saturday. The mission punctuated a visit that mixed high‑stakes geopolitical activity with unmistakably personal diversions.
Truth Social Posts and Public Messaging
During his stay the 79‑year‑old president used Truth Social to post about a wide range of topics. He told his 11.2 million followers that the United States was "locked and loaded" and ready to assist Iranian protesters if Tehran's government took action against them. In other posts he shared an image of a bald eagle purportedly killed by a windmill and reassured supporters that he was in "PERFECT HEALTH." These posts came amid significant military preparations related to the Venezuela operation.
Marble Shopping and the White House Ballroom
Less than 24 hours before the Venezuela operation, Trump spent nearly an hour at an Italian stone supplier in Lake Worth Beach inspecting slabs of marble and onyx for a proposed $400 million White House ballroom. Witnesses watched as the presidential limousine, known as "The Beast," threaded narrow streets lined with strip malls and trailer parks for the visit. A White House official later said Trump was purchasing the stone at his own expense.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in his motorcade at an industrial park to purchase marble and onyx from Arc Stone and Tile for the White House ballroom, in Lake Worth, Florida, U.S., January 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Gala, Auction And Fundraising
On New Year’s Eve, Trump hosted a black‑tie gala at Mar‑a‑Lago where painter Vanessa Horabuena was invited onstage to paint an image of Jesus Christ. The finished work was auctioned for $2.75 million to two bidders; the president said the proceeds would be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Reaction And Context
Supporters framed the combination of intense diplomatic engagement, military planning and high‑society events as evidence of a vigorous executive capable of juggling multiple priorities. Critics said the juxtaposition — shopping for marble and attending galas while major military assets were reportedly in place — illustrated a troubling tendency to be distracted by personal interests during consequential foreign policy decisions.
Significance: Observers noted the stark contrast between social diversions and the gravity of a planned operation against a sovereign leader, underscoring the unusual tenor of the president’s holiday schedule.
(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Diane Craft)
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