The yearly New Year’s Eve get-together, a tradition for President-elect Donald Trump, took place at Mar-a-Lago once again. However, this year saw a notable shift in guest list dynamics. Whereas prior events had sported a star-studded attendee list featuring Hollywood actors like Sylvester Stallone, athletic luminaries like Serena Williams, the iconic Martha Stewart from the TV world, and celebrated musicians such as Rod Stewart, this year’s festivity highlighted Trump’s political comrades.
This celebration—an almost intimate affair—boasted the company of the likes of Elon Musk, a trusted colleague of Trump’s, and soon-to-be Vice President JD Vance. U.S. Rep Michael Waltz, appointed as the national security consultant, Linda McMahon, Trump’s pick for the education department, and Senator Ted Cruz from Texas all marked their attendance. Close family members, including his wife Melania, sons Donald Jr. and Eric, daughter-in-law Lara, and Tiffany, Trump’s daughter, were present as well.
It remains uncertain whether Trump’s youngest son Barron, a current student at New York University enjoying his holiday, and Ivanka Trump, his daughter, along with her husband Jared Kushner, graced the occasion. Both Vance, accompanied by his spouse Usha, and Musk, along with his son X and his mother Maye, made appearances as well.
Capt. William Rothrock, a representative of the Palm Beach Police Department, shared in conversation with The Palm Beach Post recently that the event was likely to see an excess of 300 people. Attendees were all conveniently picked up from an external location and transported via bus to the club.
Donald Jr. shared the evening with his current partner, Palm Beach’s Bettina Anderson, at this formal black-tie event. Lara Trump, who recently expressed disinterest in the future vacant senatorial spot in Florida, took to the stage and performed an energetic rendition of Tom Petty’s ‘I Won’t Back Down’. Furthermore, Tiffany Trump seemed to reveal a growing pregnancy, according to sources.
In alignment with tradition, a grand red carpet welcomed guests as they arrived. Musk’s entrance was made all the more notable as he carried his son X on his shoulders. The Daily News indicated that Tiffany, married to Michael Boulos, appeared to be expecting, inspired by her visibly changing form clad in a black attire.
Moreover, Tiffany’s mother and Trump’s previous spouse, Marla Maples, also graced the red carpet. Musical notes wafted through the air as guests made their way across the carpet, with violinists playing a diverse mix of songs, ranging from the country hit ‘Jolene’, to Journey’s rock piece ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, and ‘Kashmir’ by hard rock ensemble Led Zeppelin.
Musk’s presence at the event was somewhat unexpected. While he has reportedly been a constant fixture around Mar-a-Lago since the elections, a recent social media post from Trump suggested Musk’s attendance remained uncertain.
In other news, Trump has confirmed his attendance at the upcoming funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the grand age of 100. The ceremony is set for January 9, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
New Year’s Eve at Mar-a-Lago has featured performances from famed musical artists like ’90s rapper Vanilla Ice in previous years. Speculation suggested that The Beach Boys were scheduled to perform this year. However, the legendary rock group had already performed the previous Saturday night.
Last year’s New Year event saw Melania Trump absent as she was tending to her sick mother, who unfortunately passed away in January 2024. At the party, Trump made light of the event’s popularity, joking about attendees trading tickets outside for as high as $10,000.
A loyal Mar-a-Lago member, choosing to remain anonymous but claiming to have been part of previous New Year rituals, praised the party as being ‘spectacular’. The member mentioned that Trump ‘making his rounds and talking to everyone’ was a testament to his personable character.
The same member characterized Trump’s recent triumphs beyond politics, in reputational repair and successful business ventures, as ‘the greatest comeback period in all of human history’, underscoring the significance of this year’s party in light of the remarkable year Trump had.