Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos‘ involvement with the Met Gala in 2026 has led to protests in New York City.
Having just finished their star-studded wedding in Venice, Italy, the Amazon founder and his wife were announced as main sponsors of the 2026 Met Gala in November 2025. LeBron James in 2025, too Beyoncé, Tom Ford, Salma Hayek again Caroline Kennedy in the past.
The announcement of Bezos’ increased involvement was made with much fanfare as a part VogueThe dress code of the Met Gala, where there was only a brief reference to the couple serving as “chairs of honor.”
Vogue’s invitation for the Bezos to attend this year’s Met Gala drew significant protests in New York City, where opponents formed a guerrilla marketing campaign to put up “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” posters across the city.
Keep scrolling to find out why people are upset about this year’s Met Gala and more.
Why Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos’ Met Gala 2026 Engagement Caused Controversy?
Some of the complaints about the Bezos’ involvement with the Met Gala 2026 revolve around their influence in fundraising as the main sponsors and honorary chairs. Amazon’s professional liaison with the President Donald Trump and his controversial management has also disrupted the fashion industry and beyond.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 Met Gala, placards have been seen across New York City urging residents to boycott the event due to alleged mistreatment of workers at Amazon fulfillment centers and the official’s alleged collusion with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to New York Times. (Amazon has denied any mistreatment of its workers.)
“The Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by employee exploitation,” one poster reads, while another suggests the 2026 Meta Gala is “brought to you by the company that owns ICE.”
A man places a “Boycott The Bezos Met Gala” poster at a bus stop in Manhattan.
Getty Images; TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFPForbes It was reported in January 2026 that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE are buying $140 million in cloud services from Amazon and Microsoft by 2025. Amazon did not respond to those estimates.
The grassroots protests were organized by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, which accused Bezos of “enabling ICE.” (The team is named after X and Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk.)
The Bezos’ involvement in the Met Gala appears to have local political implications. Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani he told Hell’s Gate in April that he would skip the Met Gala to focus on “buying and making the most expensive city in the United States affordable.”
“That’s what I’m looking to spend most of my time focusing on,” he added.
Us Weekly has contacted the Met Gala 2026 organizer, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, for comment.
Has Jeff Bezos Been Involved in the Met Gala Before?
Jeff Bezos previously served as honorary chairman of the Met Gala in 2012. His involvement caused very little controversy at the time.
Who Are the Official Seats for the Met Gala 2026?
Anna WintourCondé Nast’s global content chief, leads the 2026 official chairs, along with Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman again Venus Williams.
What is the Met Gala 2026 Theme?
The theme of the Met Gala 2026 is “The Art of Costume” and the dress code requires attendees to follow the theme “Fashion is Art.” Guests are encouraged to advertise fashion as fine art.
When and Where is the Met Gala 2026?
The Met Gala 2026 will be held at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 4.
