By KATELYN CARALLE, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: 21:37 GMT, 2 January 2026 | Updated: 22:00 GMT, 2 January 2026

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 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 a 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.'

They said that a lot of people wanted to 'opt out of the chaos and the madness' of spending New Year's with the crowd at Mar-a-Lago – 'especially when they work in chaos of DC the rest of the year.'