At a Glance
- President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club hosted the American Humane Society’s 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards Gala on Jan. 9
- Performers wore 18th-century formal attire with dog masks, prompting online mockery
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom mocked the event as a “FURRY PARTY”
- Why it matters: The viral moment adds to Mar-a-Lago’s history of controversial themed events
President Donald Trump’s private Palm Beach club became the internet’s latest obsession after footage emerged from the American Humane Society’s 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards Gala, where performers donned elaborate dog masks paired with 18th-century formal wear.
Viral Costumes Spark Mockery
The Jan. 9 event featured entertainers in powdered wigs, ornate coats, and full dog masks, creating a surreal visual that quickly spread across social media platforms. The unusual costume combination drew immediate comparisons to furry fandom culture.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic, amplified the mockery by reposting images from the gala on X with the caption: “Why is Donald Trump hosting a FURRY PARTY???”
The 79-year-old president reportedly attended the Friday evening event. MeidasTouch posted on TikTok that “Trump was present and spoke at the event,” while Kelly Henry, senior editor of Palm Beach Florida Weekly, shared video appearing to show Trump delivering remarks at the gala on Instagram.
The American Humane Society did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment on the event or the viral reaction to the performers’ costumes.
Trump’s Complicated History with Pets
The irony of Trump hosting a dog-focused event hasn’t escaped notice, given his well-documented aversion to pets. While the evening honored “courageous canines,” Trump remains one of only three presidents to occupy the White House without any pets.
“How would I look walking a dog on the White House lawn? Would that be right?” Trump asked supporters at a 2019 Texas campaign rally. “I don’t know. Feels a little phony, phony to me.”
Trump, who didn’t grow up with pets, has been vocal about his skepticism regarding the political benefits of pet ownership. “A lot of people say, ‘Oh, you should get a dog,’ ‘Why?’ ‘It’s good politically.’ I said, ‘Look, that’s not the relationship I have with my people.'”
His late ex-wife Ivana Trump detailed his antipathy toward dogs in her memoir, Raising Trump. According to GQ, she wrote that Trump “was not a dog fan” and had a tense relationship with her poodle, Chappy, who would “bark at him territorially.”
Mar-a-Lago’s Controversial Event History
This isn’t the first time Trump’s private club has generated controversy through its themed events. The exclusive Palm Beach property, where Trump spends significant time when not in Washington, has a pattern of hosting elaborate parties that draw criticism.
Months before the Humane Society gala puzzled the internet, Trump threw a Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago as millions of Americans prepared for potential SNAP benefits expiration during the historically long government shutdown.
The Halloween party drew inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 classic, featuring feathers, flapper dresses, and the theme “a little party never killed nobody,” according to reports from White House correspondents Danny Kemp of AFP News Agency and Kellie Meyer of NewsNation.
The event’s timing proved particularly controversial, coming as millions of Americans prepared to lose their benefits on Nov. 1, 2025, while the government remained shut down. Two federal judges ultimately ruled the Trump administration had to provide benefits despite the shutdown, with the administration first agreeing to partial payments before a judge ordered full benefits for November.
Mar-a-Lago’s Exclusive World
Mar-a-Lago operates as a private club with strict membership requirements. Non-members can only host events at the property if sponsored by a current member, adding to the exclusivity that defines Trump’s Florida retreat.
The club has served as the backdrop for numerous Trump family milestones. Three of his children have gotten married at Mar-a-Lago, while Trump himself hosted his wedding reception with third wife Melania Trump at the club in 2005.
The property has become synonymous with Trump’s post-presidential life, hosting everything from political meetings to social galas. The Hero Dog Awards Gala represents just the latest in a series of events that have kept Mar-a-Lago in the public eye.
Key Takeaways
- The Hero Dog Awards Gala’s viral costumes add another chapter to Mar-a-Lago’s controversial event history
- Trump’s attendance at a dog-focused event highlights the irony of his pet-free presidency
- The incident demonstrates how quickly Mar-a-Lago events can become internet sensations
- Previous themed parties at the club have drawn criticism for their timing and tone
