The Met Gala has once again ignited controversy, with many calling the upcoming 2026 festival tone-deaf after organizers revealed the event will be sponsored by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The announcement triggered a wave of backlash across social media, with critics accusing the fundraising gala of embracing excess and ignoring widening global inequality.
The Met Gala, held annually on the first Monday in May, is known as one of fashion’s most glamorous nights and raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. But in recent years, the event’s reputation has shifted. What was once celebrated as fashion’s biggest night has increasingly become a symbol of privilege, wealth and distorted priorities.
Outrage After Surprise Sponsorship Reveal
On Nov. 17, the Met Museum’s official Instagram account (@metmuseum) shared a video unveiling the 2026 theme, “Costume Art.” Viewers initially praised the concept, expressing excitement for a theme centered on creativity and craftsmanship.
However, reaction changed instantly when the video’s final frame appeared:
“The exhibition is made possible by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.”
Comment sections filled with shock, frustration and condemnation, with users calling the decision “out of touch” and “embarrassing.”
One top comment read:
“Really s*** end when Jeff Bezos popped up.”**
Another user added:
“So they’ve bought Vogue, and now they’ve bought the Met, but still can’t buy class.”
Many commenters argued the sponsorship conflicts directly with the creative values the Met Gala claims to champion.
Critics Call Bezos ‘the Anti-Artist’
For many, the backlash is tied not just to the billionaire’s wealth but his public image. Amid increasing economic hardship, controversial working conditions for Amazon employees, and rising global inequality, Bezos has made headlines for luxury weddings, space tourism voyages and mega-yachts.
One comment read:
“Bezos is literally the anti-artist. He is everything opposite of what art stands for. Gross.”
Another wrote:
“The Met Gala was dying, and this has put the nail in the coffin.”
Dozens echoed the sentiment that the event no longer represents fashion innovation or cultural storytelling, but rather excessive wealth and corporate influence.
A Breaking Point for Audiences?
The gala already faced criticism in past years, particularly in 2022, when the “Gilded Glamor” theme drew widespread backlash during a soaring cost-of-living crisis. Many argued the theme glamorized a historic era defined by extreme inequality while millions struggled financially.
The 2026 pushback suggests public exhaustion may have reached a new peak. Some are calling for boycotts, planning to skip coverage entirely.
One viral comment summed up the mood:
“Wow… sorry, but this one is going to be an absolute skip.”
Whether the Met will respond to the backlash remains unknown, but for now, the cultural conversation surrounding the once-iconic event has intensified — and the 2026 gala may be remembered long before it begins.
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