President-elect Donald Trump transformed his annual Mar-a-Lago New Year’s celebration from Hollywood spectacle to political summit, hosting over 300 guests including tech billionaire Elon Musk and his incoming administration team.
“Just a great year; I think we’re going to do fantastically well as a country; we’re going to bring it back; it has to be brought back,” Trump told reporters on the red carpet, where he appeared with incoming First Lady Melania Trump in a stylish black dress.
The two shared a kiss at midnight, which was captured on camera —
Another adorable video of Donald and Melania Trump kissing at midnight last night 🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/h8jm68SjJn
— FLOTUS Report (@MELANIAJTRUMP) January 1, 2025
Musk, who has taken up residence at the resort since Election Day in a $2,000-per-night cottage, attended with his son and mother Maye.
The Tesla CEO’s presence came after Trump posted a cryptic social media message suggesting Bill Gates had requested an invitation to what Trump called the “Center of the Universe.”
TRUMP WITH ELON AND X CELEBRATING TONIGHT AT MAR LAGO.pic.twitter.com/yrB0vBaaUE
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 1, 2025
The evening featured violinists playing everything from Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” to Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” while Laura Trump performed Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”
Guests were ferried to the property by bus for an event that has become so exclusive, tickets reportedly sold for $10,000 last year on the secondary market.
“It’s been the greatest comeback period in all of human history because it’s not just political, it’s reputational, it’s business, and he beat all odds,” one club member said, noting Trump “comes around to every table and talks to us.”
The guest list reflected Trump’s new power circle: Vice President-elect JD Vance with wife Usha, national security adviser nominee Michael Waltz, education secretary nominee Linda McMahon, and Sen Ted Cruz, R-T.X. GOP donor Miriam Adelson, Trump attorney Alina Habba, and boxing promoter Don King also attended.
Donald Trump Jr. celebrated his 47th birthday at the event with new girlfriend Bettina Anderson, while his sister Tiffany Trump displayed a baby bump in her black gown.
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared photos posing with the president-elect and Melania Trump.
Before the party, Trump addressed looming issues in an impromptu press conference, including his endorsement House Speaker Mike Johnson ahead of a crucial vote.
“He’s the one that can win right now, people like him,” Trump said, promising to lobby members “if necessary.” He also confirmed plans to attend former President Jimmy Carter’s January 9 funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
Ultimately, though, daughter-in-law Lara Trump may have stolen the show that night, when video of her singing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” went viral.
🚨BREAKING: Lara Trump just sang her hit song "I Won't Back Down" at the beautiful Mar-a-Lago New Year's Eve Gala. pic.twitter.com/xOFUAYdGPL
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) January 1, 2025