Trump reveals New Year's resolution in three words glittering at Mar-a-Lago party

 

President Donald Trump rang in 2026 with a lavish black-tie celebration at his Mar-a-Lago resort, a scene of extravagance that sharply contrasts with the affordability crisis and rising health premiums affecting millions of Americans.

When asked by reporters about his New Year’s resolution, Trump simply replied, “Peace on Earth,” before smiling and ignoring questions about the CIA’s involvement in a recent missile strike he authorized in Venezuela.

Since August, the U.S. has dramatically increased its military presence in the Caribbean, carrying out more than 30 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Trump recently escalated this campaign with a quasi-blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers, a move Republican Senator Rand Paul described as a “prelude to war.”

While Trump has claimed to have ended eight wars since retaking office, reports indicate that the U.S. has carried out or participated in over 600 overseas bombings across seven countries in 2025 alone. Despite early promises to restore global peace, the Trump administration has launched operations in Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and now Venezuela. Throughout this period, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

Security at Mar-a-Lago was significantly heightened for the New Year’s celebration, including temporary flight restrictions and road closures to accommodate presidential motorcades. According to the White House schedule, Trump will not make a public appearance on New Year’s Day.

Critics have drawn comparisons to a previous Mar-a-Lago event—a “Great Gatsby”-themed Halloween party—held during a government shutdown that furloughed thousands of workers and interrupted SNAP benefits for millions of low-income Americans.

Trump’s strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which have resulted in over 100 deaths, have been described by some legal and military experts as extrajudicial. The recent land strike in Venezuela marked a significant escalation in pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, although Venezuelan officials have yet to publicly respond.

Interestingly, Trump authorized the CIA to carry out the operation, a rare move for a land-based strike, potentially allowing him to bypass some congressional scrutiny. The administration is legally required to report covert CIA actions to key intelligence committees in Congress. Trump has publicly defended his actions, citing Venezuela’s prison releases into the U.S. and the flow of drugs from the region as justification.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities continue to pursue Maduro and his inner circle, who have been federally indicted since 2020 for narcoterrorism and other charges. This year, the Justice Department doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.

The stark contrast between Trump’s luxurious lifestyle and the ongoing domestic and international crises raises pressing questions about priorities as Americans face rising costs and global tensions intensify.