Donald Trump Auctions Vanessa's Speed Painting for $2.75 Million at Palm Beach Event
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Donald Trump Auctions Vanessa's Speed Painting for $2.75 Million at Palm Beach Event
Donald Trump introduced Vanessa, whom he calls one of the greatest living artists, to demonstrate her speed painting abilities at a Palm Beach fundraiser. Within 10 minutes, she created a painting live on stage while music played. Trump then auctioned off the artwork to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the local sheriff's department. The bidding war among wealthy attendees escalated rapidly, starting at $100,000 and ultimately selling for $2.75 million. Trump praised Vanessa's work throughout, noting she has created portraits of him for the White House that he considers superior to those by other renowned painters.
January 20, 2026
Introduction to a Unique Artistic Performance
Donald Trump paused a Palm Beach event to showcase what he called "something very special" - a live speed painting demonstration by an artist named Vanessa. Trump introduced her as "one of the greatest artists anywhere in the world," explaining that she possesses the rare ability to create both slow, meticulous portraits for prestigious venues like the White House and stunning paintings completed in just 10 minutes. He emphasized that while the demonstration would serve as entertainment, it represented genuine artistic talent that attendees wouldn't believe until they witnessed it themselves.
The Live Painting Performance
As music played in the background, with lyrics about Jesus echoing through the venue, Vanessa worked rapidly on stage to create her painting. The performance lasted approximately 10 minutes, during which the audience remained captivated. Trump noted with satisfaction that not a single person left the floor during the demonstration, highlighting the mesmerizing nature of her work. When she completed the piece, the crowd erupted in applause and cheering, clearly impressed by what they had witnessed.
Trump's Personal Endorsement
Trump shared his personal experience with Vanessa's work, revealing that she had created portraits of him for the White House that he considers the best he's received. He explained that the White House typically recommends a list of 10 painters, and while he has worked with many of them, Vanessa produced what he regards as the finest portrait. He mentioned that he has even replaced other artworks with her paintings, underlining his confidence in her abilities. Trump encouraged the wealthy attendees to contact Vanessa if they wanted portraits of their own, noting that the room was "loaded with cash."
Setting Up the Charity Auction
Trump announced his intention to auction off the freshly created painting for charity. He asked Eric Trump and Don Trump Jr. to name their favorite charities. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was selected as one beneficiary, with the local sheriff's department chosen to receive the other half of the proceeds. Trump set the opening bid at $100,000, though he immediately added that he believed the painting was worth considerably more, particularly given Vanessa's rising prominence in the art world.
The Bidding War Begins
The auction quickly escalated beyond the opening bid. Trump recognized Anthony, an entrepreneur who had built a trucking company from a single truck to 5,000 trucks before selling it for $4 billion. When Trump asked how long it took to make that fortune, Anthony replied "about 50 years." The bidding moved from $250,000 to $300,000, then jumped to $500,000. Trump called out bidders by name, including Hussein and Mr. Wortheim, whom Trump identified as "the biggest guy on Wall Street," joking that his red hat served to surprise people "before he plucks the money out of their wallets."
Million-Dollar Territory
The auction reached new heights when a bid of $1 million was placed, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd. Trump continued his commentary, playfully noting that for some of the attendees, even these large sums were "peanuts" given their wealth. The bidding continued to climb, reaching $2 million, then $2.5 million. At one point, Trump offered to sign the painting if it would encourage higher bids. He joked about one woman's husband looking at her in disbelief when she placed a bid, asking "What the hell is that all about?"
Final Sale and Closing Remarks
After several more rounds of bidding, the painting ultimately sold for $2.75 million. Trump made light-hearted warnings to bidders not to overextend themselves, joking that he didn't want to see any chapter filings the next morning from "one of our outstanding Palm Beachers" who bid too much. He thanked the winning bidder and stated his belief that they had made a good deal, noting that the painting was "actually even more beautiful up close." The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause as Trump concluded the auction, having raised nearly $3 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the sheriff's department through the sale of a painting created in just 10 minutes.
