'Peace on earth' is my New Year resolution, says Trump
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Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that "peace on earth" is his resolution for 2026, striking a brief aspirational note before delivering a wide-ranging address on the country's economic and military strength during a New Year's Eve gala at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
When asked by reporters about his resolution for the year ahead, the President replied simply: “Peace. Peace on earth. Peace on earth.” However, he declined to answer questions regarding the CIA’s alleged role in a recent attack on Venezuela or the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine.
Speaking to a gathering of high-profile guests, Trump painted a picture of rapid national recovery. He touted "unprecedented" investment flowing into the US, claiming factories were being built "all over the country" and growth figures had exceeded predictions.
“I didn’t think it could happen this fast. It’s happening a lot faster than anybody would’ve thought possible,” Trump said, citing a growth figure of 4.4 per cent against a prediction of 1.9 per cent. He also highlighted revenue from tariffs and increased military funding, declaring, “We’re back. We’re strong.”
He also touched upon alleged financial misconduct, claiming authorities had uncovered "billions of dollars" in losses from a "giant scam," and vowed to recover the funds as part of a "green New Year."
The evening was marked by theatrical flair. Guests entered on a black carpet emblazoned with gold letters, greeted by musicians playing ‘God Bless America’. Inside the ballroom, a live art performance took centre stage. Artist Vanessa Horabuena painted a portrait of Jesus while dancing to Christian worship music. Trump auctioned the painting for $2.75 million, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital and the local sheriff’s department.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Family members, including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Lara Trump, were also present.
(Inputs from IANS)