During the Teletón 2026 campaign launch in Rancagua, President José Antonio Kast revealed he bought singer Emmanuel's gabardina, which former President Gabriel Boric had won at auction the previous year for $1 million. Kast joked about his discreet purchase and said he will donate it again at the next Teletón. He proposed circulating the garment among political figures.
President José Antonio Kast launched the Teletón 2026 campaign on Tuesday from an institute in Rancagua, alongside Don Francisco. He announced sending a bill to declare the first Saturday of November as Teletón Day, fulfilling a promise to animator Mario Kreutzberger.
In his speech, Kast shared an anecdote from the previous Teletón. "In the last Teletón, President Gabriel Boric was there... Boric had bought Emmanuel's gabardina, whom I know and admire... who bought it after? Me. Quietly there, it hasn't arrived yet," he said amid laughter.
The leather gabardina was donated by Mexican singer Emmanuel at the 2024 Teletón, a garment he wore at the 1992 Viña del Mar Festival. Boric won it in the 'Lucatón' with a $1 million donation after trying it on, encouraged by ministers Camila Vallejo and Jeannette Jara. Boric returned it for a new auction in 2025, where Kast acquired it, though the amount is undisclosed.
Kast plans to donate it at the next Teletón and extend its circulation: "I'll donate it next, then to the Senate president, Chamber of Deputies president, until the new President... a gabardina circulating through different political arcs." He highlighted the cross-party support for Teletón.
