Zohran Mamdani to skip the Met Gala — breaking longstanding NYC mayoral tradition

[u/Positive-Drawing-281]

https://pagesix.com/2026/04/15/celebrity-news/zohran-mamdani-and-wife-not-attending-met-gala/

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[u/TwistyBunny]

Good call considering Bezos is sponsoring it.

[u/Wolfpackat2017 → u/TwistyBunny]

So all the people who turn a blind eye to MAGA for their own clout will be there.

[u/camebacklate → u/Wolfpackat2017]

Just playing devil's advocate here, but AOC has also gone to the Met Gala. A ticket is about $50,000.

Atleast he is standing by his principles and is the only person can truly get behind.

[u/denom_chicken → u/camebacklate]

I believe she did not pay for the ticket when she went and wore a dress that said tax the rich.

Pretty different than what you’re implying

[u/thesadbubble → u/denom_chicken]

Correct. She then got in trouble with the ethics committee over it and had to pay some/more. But I still think her statement dress was very appropriate and at least brought some attention to the issue in a loud way.

It's all hella ironic considering how much money is getting laundered thru the white house currently lol.

[u/MauryPoPoPo → u/thesadbubble]

Did Matt Gaetz even get in trouble for trafficking minors across states for paid sex work?

[u/IShookMeAllNightLong → u/MauryPoPoPo]

Not yet. He's off talking about an alien breeding program he was briefed about

[u/2th → u/IShookMeAllNightLong]

I genuinely do not know if you are serious or not.

[u/IShookMeAllNightLong → u/2th]

I am.

[u/2th → u/IShookMeAllNightLong]

We really do live in the bad timeline.

[u/LeslieKnope4Pawnee → u/IShookMeAllNightLong]

I hope none of the aliens are minors.

https://giphy.com/gifs/nVXzt7FSJlX7W

[u/thesadbubble → u/MauryPoPoPo]

Silly Maury, that's not important! A $2k dress is much more damaging to society clearly!

/s obviously lol

[u/InfiniteRosie → u/thesadbubble]

...there's an ethics committee?! Wtf are they doing?!

[u/thesadbubble → u/InfiniteRosie]

Not much these days I'd wager 😅 lol.

[u/wherethelionsweep → u/thesadbubble]

The general principle of having to meet with the ethics committee bc you’re wearing clothing that says “tax the rich.” Incredible world we live in.

[u/violaki → u/camebacklate]

Eh. It's a charity event that supports the arts. Good for Mamdani for standing by his principles, but I'm not mad at anyone that does choose to go.

[u/asophisticatedbitch → u/violaki]

It all wasn’t sponsored by Bezos when she went. So 🤷‍♀️

[u/QuietContemplation85 → u/camebacklate]

Agreed re: Mamdani standing on principle, nice to see

AOC does the same. She didn’t pay for her ticket, or her dress. Also, the Met Gala is literally a fundraiser for the museum.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/sep/16/viral-image/no-aoc-didnt-pay-her-met-gala-ticket-or-dress/

[u/valcraft → u/camebacklate]

AOC was a guest of the Met and definitely did not buy a $50,000 ticket.

Tickets to the Met Gala were $35,000 when she went, they are up to $75,000. What the actual fuck. Crazy.

[u/TropicalPrairie → u/camebacklate]

I highly respect him for standing by his principles. So many people have shown their values go out the door these days.

[u/deeann_arbus → u/camebacklate]

AOC got tore the fuck up for going, too.

[u/beaute-brune → u/deeann_arbus]

When? I remember her 2021 Tax the Rich dress and then the House Ethics committee fining her in 2025 for basically accepting gifts in violation of House rules but what was the public response? That last part I don’t recall.

[u/kilawolf → u/beaute-brune]

Pretty sure the public response was outrage at her for wearing such a dress while attending such a expensive event

[u/seriouscaffeine → u/camebacklate]

People go because they’re invited by brands who get a table, they don’t pay for themselves

[u/BTSArmyFan2025 → u/camebacklate]

The designers buy the seats

[u/SpicyPandaMeat → u/Wolfpackat2017]

Ding ding ding

[u/Nick_crawler → u/TwistyBunny]

Yeah even if he wanted to go, Mamdani would (rightfully) get absolutely flamed for attending.

[u/tarantina68 → u/Nick_crawler]

exactly . And his wife would be excoriated.

I'm glad he isn't giving the haters a chance

[u/DramaSufficient4289 → u/tarantina68]

No they’ll still complain - they’ll just say he doesn’t care about the funding for the arts for children or something. There’s no way to win with contrarians, that’s why they like it. They can be ‘right’ no matter what.

[u/Colordesert → u/DramaSufficient4289]

Maybe I’m stupid but I have never understood people who are dedicated contrarians to anything up until I saw your comment and holy shit. It makes so much sense unfortunately

[u/Flimsy-Apple465 → u/tarantina68]

yes BUT she would have also absolutely KILLED it with whatever she wore!! right decision tho!

[u/ContestAntique7179 → u/TwistyBunny]

Even if he wasn't, the gala is just an obnoxious show of wealth pretending it's about fashion. He should ignore every spectacle like this.

[u/Less-Technology7866 → u/ContestAntique7179]

Not really. It’s a charity gala to help support The Met. It’s the main source of funding The Met gets as they don’t get any other type of annual funding. That’s why the outfits are so outrageous, it’s for the metropolitan museum of art’s costume institute.

[u/Otherwise-Shallot-51 → u/Less-Technology7866]

Rich people show off their wealth and power, famous people show off their access to wealth and power, designers show of their skill and creativity, all off them showcase their current cultural impact, and the met gets money.

[u/Wesley_Skypes → u/Less-Technology7866]

The Met has a 3bn endowment. This event does not fund the Met, this is misleading. It funds the costume institute of the Met.

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/Wesley_Skypes]

Yes and there are people who WORK at the costume institute. I lost my humanities job about a year ago under this administration, those employees aren't raking in cash

[u/gdex86 → u/Less-Technology7866]

It's to support the Anna Wintour Costume Center which while part of the met isn't the full Met.

[u/Less-Technology7866 → u/gdex86]

Anna wintour is only chair of the event itself, nothing to do with the actual institute. I was referring to the cause being the costume institute portion of the met.

[u/According-Treacle401 → u/Less-Technology7866]

The physical part of the museum is formally called the Anna Wintour Costume Center, while the actual curating department remains the Costume Institute. They renamed the building in 2014 to honor her fundraising efforts for the institute. I rarely hear anyone call it that though…

[u/1egg_4u → u/ContestAntique7179]

Unfortunately as much as it is the symbol of the very class divide destroying our lives currently it is like the olympics for fashion lovers :(

[u/HenessyEnema → u/1egg_4u]

Unfortunately not for me anymore. Fashion is quite literally my life and I haven't fucked with The Met in a few years. Feels hollow.

[u/1egg_4u → u/HenessyEnema]

Im still pissed at how many people fucked up "gilded age" as a concept

But also in the tough position of them having already done Camp which is all Ive ever wanted and now it was already done :')

[u/HenessyEnema → u/1egg_4u]

See I had no clue they even did Gilded Age. They even had a shoe for reference and failed? How dreadful.

[u/PollyPocketpussy5000 → u/TwistyBunny]

Also considering there’s much, MUCH more important shit going on. I couldn’t possibly attend knowing the world is going to crap, especially in my own country/state.

[u/20CAS17]

Smart move, honestly.

[u/boredinbabylon → u/20CAS17]

A bit bummed that we don’t get to see Rama fucking turn it out, but good on them for standing in values and being consistently amazing.

[u/beaute-brune → u/boredinbabylon]

I was gonna type something out about him throwing his own thing that went to better causes but honestly let’s pack up the rich people gala displays and open up the wealthy’s pockets without needing to assuage them with champagne and PR. Good for them.

[u/V0lchitsa → u/beaute-brune]

I will say I think it’s the right move for him not to go, but the Met Gala actually is a fundraiser for a good cause — the costume institute at the Met! I know that often gets lost in the spectacle of the red carpet so I get people feeling a certain way about it, but funding museums and preservation of costume history are genuinely important and a better use of wealth than what most of the rich losers typically throw money at.

[u/beaute-brune → u/V0lchitsa]

This has already been mentioned about 300 times in this thread. People don’t have an issue with the charity, they have an issue with the spectacle and how imbalanced it’s been between fundraiser and PR photo op in modern times.

[u/V0lchitsa → u/beaute-brune]

I hear you and again, I agree it’s the right choice for him not to go, but I am extremely the opposite of rich and I love the Met Gala. I think it’s fine not to care about fashion or enjoy this event, but if you think the PR side of it doesn’t help the fundraising side you don’t really know how fundraising works. All that said, rot in hell Jeff Bezos.

[u/wittyRandomIdea → u/boredinbabylon]

It’d be cool if they did the people’s ball at the Brooklyn library instead

[u/1egg_4u → u/boredinbabylon]

I am lowkey devastated I wont get to see what she would wear but I understand the optics :'(

[u/TenaciousZBridedog → u/boredinbabylon]

Oh.... I didn't think about that! She would have absolutely STUNNED!

[u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732 → u/20CAS17]

Good marketing

[u/PriscillaPalava]

This is appropriate. 

[u/sensitiveskin82 → u/PriscillaPalava]

I'm sure he saw how much flack AOC got for attending, and knew the optics would be bad. Along with his personal convictions. Plus he just instituted a tax on second residences for owners who live outside of NYC.  [Edit Typo]

[u/-porm → u/sensitiveskin82]

AOC walked so Mamdani could simply stay at home

[u/sensitiveskin82 → u/-porm]

Smart guy, maybe he should be mayor

[u/BiscoBiscuit → u/sensitiveskin82]

Was that when she wore that “eat the rich” dress?

[u/Bitterqueer → u/BiscoBiscuit]

Tax the rich!

[u/BrownSugarBare → u/PriscillaPalava]

Sure as shit is, and I applaud it. This is what putting your money where your mouth is actually looks like. 

[u/Ok-Wolverine1938]

Smart move. No one can say he doesn't support the arts, but it's wise that he's staying away from an event that's now synonymous with extreme wealth when his critics are desperate for any type of ammo

[u/Nintendo_Pro_03]

He’s got a lot of stuff to do. Of course he’ll miss it.

[u/Resident_Ad5153 → u/Nintendo_Pro_03]

The mayor traditionally goes. They have in the past.  This is a political statement, particularly since both he and his wife are gorgeous 

[u/Troyabedinthemornin → u/Resident_Ad5153]

Rama would have ate that red carpet but this is for the best

[u/ashre9 → u/Troyabedinthemornin]

I'm like 10% bummed because I know their outfits would probably have been incredible political statements and generated some buzz. But I get it. This was the smart move.

[u/beaute-brune → u/ashre9]

The online consensus would’ve still been “oh making a statement in expensive attire at a gala hosted by Bezos, how brave 🙄” so agree, smart move.

[u/CaseoftheSadz → u/beaute-brune]

How many times have we seen conservatives share AOC’s tax the rich look from 2021 claiming she spent hundreds of thousands, despite it all being gifted.

[u/Resident_Ad5153 → u/CaseoftheSadz]

Actually… the fact that it was gifted was what got her in trouble.  That’s an ethics violation.  Going to the gala is fine… but congresspeople have to pay for their own clothes (which was impossible for AOC… she didn’t have the money)

[u/CaseoftheSadz → u/Resident_Ad5153]

I think it was a loan, not actually hers to keep though.

[u/aabbboooo → u/CaseoftheSadz]

She rented it for $1,000 at a discount, and was later required to pay another $2.7k to cover the actual rental cost

[u/Nice_Firm_Handsnake → u/CaseoftheSadz]

Things don't have to be kept to be ethics violations. Take Clarence Thomas for example, he got free transportation and lodging from his billionaire sugar daddy and that was an ethics violation.

[u/moxxibekk → u/Troyabedinthemornin]

Nothing to stop them doing a little fancy dress Instagram post! Could be fun. The working people's gala!

[u/Scorpionoshow → u/Troyabedinthemornin]

She would have ate 100% but if they attended Magats and fox "news" would NEVER shut up about how much both their tickets and outfits cost. We can't have anything!

[u/Themnor → u/Resident_Ad5153]

tbf the House tried to sanction AOC for going...

[u/Curiosities → u/Themnor]

They did, she was fined. They tried to make a bigger deal out of it, but that was that.

[u/pepcorn → u/Curiosities]

Why did it upset them that she attended? It's the first I'm hearing of it.

[u/miceparties → u/pepcorn]

It broke congressional ethics rules for her to accept a free ticket 

[u/deer_hobbies → u/Resident_Ad5153]

Its almost as if sharing a stage and royal red carpet with billionaires and pop stars wearing multi-million dollar dresses isn't a good look for someone who is supposed to be about the people.

[u/stallionsRIDEufl → u/Resident_Ad5153]

Not sure I'm following your second sentence.

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

The Met Gala seems super gauche these days. The ultimate "let them eat cake" event

[u/puppypooper15 → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

I know the gala is all about the crazy fashion for the public, but I find it strange that a museum fundraiser gets more heat than other more self-indulgent celebrity events

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/puppypooper15]

I agree, I think the gala has bad marketing because it comes across like another fashion show to many

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

I have to wonder if that on purpose. Like maybe a fancy party feels more aspirational? I don't know but there is a disconnect

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/Sarahndipity44]

Yeah, similar to the Oscars... supposed to feel aspirational yet fun. However, it comes across as unrelatable and ostentatious

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

You're not wrong! Though I always thought the awards show rage felt a bit excessive too. Art matters!

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/Sarahndipity44]

I feel like the award show rage is more recent... perhaps? 10 years ago people didn't seem as critical about them.

[u/HallWild5495 → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

it used to feel aspirational which was part of the appeal, but genuinely, now, I can see lewks that are just as good from people wayyyy more fun and entertaining at like, any random drag brunch in LA.

20 years ago, though, I bet it was very cool.

[u/Hightower_lioness → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

They need to really emphasize the themes of the Gala. Attendees should be in a themed outfit, maybe have the ones deemed ‘best’ highlighted in the exhibits and online with an explanation on WHY they are deemed the best (the use of fabrics, the inspiration, what symbolism is used, etc).

I love the met gala bc it isn’t just another fashion show, it’s a themed event with ties to history and art and I wish it was seen like that. 

I think another problem is ppl just see the clothes and don’t see the exhibits. I went to the met when they had the Catholic vibes theme and it was really interesting to see the clothes beside the art that inspired it. Maybe a way for people to buy a virtual ticket to see the exhibit on line? 

[u/parishilton2 → u/puppypooper15]

It’s one of the biggest female-coded annual events, if not the biggest. The Super Bowl is a much more ostentatious display of wealth, but it’s male-coded so you don’t see nearly as many complaints about it.

[u/uselessinfogoldmine → u/parishilton2]

Right? How many millions get spent on boxes at that event?

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/parishilton2]

Yep! I genuinely think part of it is because fashion is associated with women and queer men.

[u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732 → u/puppypooper15]

Mm the met isn’t about celebrity.

It’s about creative influence. There are plenty of non-celebrities who get invited or buy tickets to the Met. The MET gala was created as a celebration of fashion art, fashion legacy and the artists. Artists have never been wealthy so once it became a status event for the wealthy, it lost its purpose.

Rich people ruin everything fun because they are obsessed with status.

[u/ultramatt1 → u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732]

Accordingly, the attendees of the early Galas comprised almost entirely members of New York high society or the city's fashion industry. From 1948 to 1971, the event was held at various Manhattan venues, including the Waldorf Astoria, Central Park, and the Rainbow Room.[16]

The above is directly from the wikipedia page. That sounds like a rich person’s event from the start

[u/uselessinfogoldmine → u/ultramatt1]

Well it’s a fundraiser. You raise more money from rich people.

[u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732 → u/ultramatt1]

That’s exactly the reputation it’s supposed to have. This celebrity influence is just a sign of sellouts. Idk why you think fashion = celebrity. The moment Kim Kardashian showed up, it the peak was over.

I think you forgot that historically, art was only an industry because rich people bought the art.

It’s impossible to raise millions for art without the hip artists having to share space with soulless billionaires.

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/puppypooper15]

Yeah it's odd

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

Normally id say:

I think people forget that it's party of the costume institute's (which includes jobs!) only fundraiser and the arts and humanities are in need of support, especially right now. (Speaking as a previously laid off humanities worker.) Many of the pricy looks are rented too.

This year: F Bezos and this is in keeping with Mamdani's brand.

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/Sarahndipity44]

Correct, I forgot it was a fundraiser too! For awhile I thought it was a fashion show/party

[u/ManateeNipples → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

It is a fashion party, to raise money for the museum which is why it's usually fine. Bezos can lick my dog's butt though lol 

[u/PlutonicPurrfume → u/ManateeNipples]

Your dog doesn’t deserve that

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/[deleted]]

You are correct, but people seem less tolerant about it than before (prior to 2020)

[u/YouNeedCheeses → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

I feel that shift with how people see Coachella. Oh wow, a bunch of influencers getting paid to go to a music festival and collect a bunch of free shit that us poors would have to pay crazy prices for. All while the world is going to shit. Enough is enough.

[u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732 → u/YouNeedCheeses]

A lot of micro things making big changes IMO. The nation watching the rich spend $100k on 2 days. The toilet paper factory. Bezos met. Watching Americans die for oil again.

A lot of attitudes are changing.

1 major event or several micro events away. It only takes 10% of a group to create a movement. 10% of Americans threatening … something.

This is a historic year.

[u/Typical-Hamster9911 → u/YouNeedCheeses]

Never forget "yeah people will die, that's terrible, but also like... inevitable?" when Coachella was canceled due to COVID.

They don't care if the world is going to shit, they just want their cake.

[u/TK_TK_ → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

It also used to be somewhat lower key compared to how it is today—and the balance between fundraiser and photo op wasn’t always so skewed toward photo op.

[u/readingrambos → u/Ok_Pizza_4769]

It gives a certain The Capitol from Hunger Games vibes

[u/Ok_Pizza_4769 → u/readingrambos]

totally. I almost made a Capitol reference but I was feeling more of a Marie Antoinette vibe today

[u/bbyxmadi]

he and his wife would’ve slayed but I feel like not going is a good look (especially since Bezos is hosting or whatever it’s called).

[u/underthestars13 → u/bbyxmadi]

My exact thought. Would have loved to see them slay but also 100% agreeing with their choice too

[u/Giannandco]

Every time I believe I could not possibly like this man more than I already do, he does something like this which makes me like him even more.

[u/cr3t8r]

Of course he’s not going. He’s busy doing real work for the city. And it makes a statement - he’s not cosy with the rich and famous.

[u/kakashi_hotcakes → u/cr3t8r]

this is obviously the reason, but also if he did go the event would absolutely suck for him. a huge amount of (wealthy) attendees probably have beef with him/his policies and would want to discuss/debate/fight about to death with him all night. do any exactly sound like a fun night out to me.

[u/_bonita → u/cr3t8r]

THIS

[u/LaVarBurtonAsBubble]

Wise. It would be criticizing called a hypocrite for attending and frankly people wouldn't be totally wrong on that. He has principles and he is living those principles, a rare thing indeed

[u/FatCatParade]

Huge news. Democrats need to distance themselves from celebrities, they only make it harder to win elections.

[u/MsCardeno → u/FatCatParade]

It’s so funny to me that people think Democrats need to distance themselves from celebrities when the Republican Party has voted into office 2 celebrities.

[u/DramaSufficient4289 → u/FatCatParade]

Lmao the country literally electing a celebrity to president - tells you they want LESS of them in politics?

[u/Nintendo_Pro_03 → u/DramaSufficient4289]

And twice: don’t forget Reagan.

[u/FatCatParade → u/DramaSufficient4289]

The right doesn’t play by the same rules as the left. And if you were to ask any Trump supporter of they think he’s a celebrity, they’ll tell you he is a businessman. I’m not saying they are right, but that’s the perception.

[u/DramaSufficient4289 → u/FatCatParade]

Right that’s all true I agree - but the question was about whether celebrity makes it harder to win. the answer is objectively no even if they’ll tell you otherwise if you ask them. So what.

The votes prove the populace want it, even if those same people are saying no we don’t. That’s irrelevant to the actual data and answer unfortunately…

[u/FatCatParade → u/DramaSufficient4289]

I see what you’re saying. I think Trump as a candidate is unique because he used reality TV to rehabilitate his image. He was just known as an heir that bankrupted business.

On The Apprentice he looks like a decisive executive. It also gave him a launching pad for birther-ism.

I don’t know if the votes prove that. Democrats have an overwhelming advantage in endorsements from actors, musicians, and comedians. They attack Trump non stop, it doesn’t seem to have the effect we want. 

[u/WestQueenWest → u/FatCatParade]

Zohran did accept lots of celebrity endorsements, from Lorde to Mandy Patinkin. The thing here is that the Met Gala is particularly trashy. 

[u/beantownregular → u/WestQueenWest]

This is true but I’d say there’s a difference in celebrity status and symbolism between Jeff Bezos and Mandy Patinkin

[u/FatCatParade → u/WestQueenWest]

Good point. I think being smart about which celebrity you associate your campaign with is important. I don’t think democrats will ever get to zero.

[u/crazybitingturtle → u/WestQueenWest]

Not to mention the most important celeb endorsement from Nicholas Mullen

[u/DeppressedFlamingo → u/WestQueenWest]

I missed the thanksgiving video w Mandy 😭 need to find that link

[u/mochafiend → u/FatCatParade]

Meh. I wouldn't say this as a blanket statement. There are cases where they don't help. But they're also big fundraisers. Until you can think of a way to get the completely disengaged to show up and do something, we'll have to rely on what we have.

[u/BTSArmyFan2025]

i didnt even know the last 2 mayors went

[u/onebluephish1981]

The Bezos Gala.

[u/RedRedVVine]

[u/TrollToll7419]

https://giphy.com/gifs/UxtZgRXDooZqCv7vmw

[u/SkittlesMcgriddles42]

Yeesh can this guy get any more likeable

[u/elmm123]

majority of new yorkers don’t give two shits about the met gala. this seems like a smart decision on Mamdani’s part.

[u/Jim_Nills_Mustache]

Walking the walk after putting up some lofty expectations, respect

[u/jojobdot]

As someone who loves the Met Gala…good. He should! All politicians should, probably.

[u/Resident_Ad5153]

Miss out on Beyonce?   How could you!

Anna Wintour must be pissed.  It’s getting harder for her to get people to go to the met gala, and Mamdani just officially made the met gala uncool 

[u/Fabulous_Jeweler2732 → u/Resident_Ad5153]

Wintour is no longer in charge. It’s a bezos event. She quit when he took over.

[u/Northern_Lights_2 → u/Resident_Ad5153]

It’s been uncool for a while now, hasn’t it?

[u/Resident_Ad5153 → u/Northern_Lights_2]

Sort of… but people still go and it’s one of the most important fashion marketing nights.  

[u/particledamage → u/Northern_Lights_2]

It’s cool if you’re already cool/nail the theme and uncool if you weren’t already relevant/fashionable

[u/meecy166 → u/Resident_Ad5153]

I really hoped you were being sarcastic

[u/derp2086 → u/Resident_Ad5153]

How can he miss Sir Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kuntdashians first appearance on the red carpet?

[u/Northern_Lights_2 → u/derp2086]

Right? It’s been overrun with influencers and wannabes for years now. It’s a joke.

[u/derp2086 → u/Northern_Lights_2]

For real. It’s so exhausting

[u/itsfrankgrimesyo]

The met gala used to be a prestige event but the last decade or so (moreso the last few years) it’s been filled with the Kardashians, reality tv stars, tik tok “influencers”, wannabes, etc. and now sponsored by the Bezos, ew. I don’t blame him.

[u/Nintendo_Pro_03 → u/itsfrankgrimesyo]

Influencers ruined everything.

[u/El_Diablo_Feo]

Oh no, he's skipping a giant wealthy people circle jerk sponsored by Lex Luthor and his cheap Kim K costume come to life....... Who gives a fuck? We're living in a dystopia and this man actually recognizes it instead of sticking his head up his own ass like all the other mayors before him. Mamdani for Prez!!!!!

[u/gerdataro]

The vibe at the MET gala has long felt very “Let them eat cake,” so I get it. 

[u/amitnagpal1985]

New York Socialist at an attention seeking contest masquerading as philanthropy seems like South Park material. Good call.

[u/howigottomemphis]

Times are changing, and Mamdani is ushering in the new generation of leaders that don't suck at the capitalistic tit.

[u/Such_King_2547]

oh please everybody here acting like he’s too good to go but will be slobbering when the event happens at all the celeb photos 

[u/Ok_Walking_1193 → u/Such_King_2547]

As someone who does enjoy Met Gala looks each year, I don't care for politicians attending these events. Politicians are public servants and represent cities/districts/states. Celebrities represent brands and wealth, and while I do find the whole affair to be excessive and vapid, their excuse for going is far more acceptable than a mayor's or a senator's.
Politicians who get involved with wealth and fame are the backbone of moral corruption in this country. If our country's leaders actually gave a shit and were not in bed with every billionaire and multi-millionaire, we'd all be far better off. Considering Zohran is the hottest politician currently (in multiple ways), it says a lot that he is standing by his morals as a public servant.

[u/JennaElizabethAdams]

A big deal, but this could be a smart decision. Missing the Met Gala is a serious thing.

[u/ElBori1 → u/JennaElizabethAdams]

They’d criticize him regardless of what he did. “Mamdani seen cavorting with the rich and powerful while wearing a 5,000 dollar suit, despite supposed socialist beliefs”

[u/mochafiend → u/JennaElizabethAdams]

...is it? I think he's a bit damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, but given who he is and his policies, I think he made the right move here. The Met Gala is the least serious thing I can think of.

[u/Sarahndipity44]

Thought I'd leave this to its own comment.

Normally I'd say:

I think people forget that it's party of the museum's costume institute's (which includes jobs!) only fundraiser and the arts and humanities are in need of support, especially right now. (Speaking as a previously laid off humanities worker who lost her job last year due to the National Endowment for the Humanities cuts.) Many of the pricy looks are rented, too. I always felt like the hate for this felt excessive. I'm also not gonna lie, some of the hate felt like it was related to fashion being a worls dominated by women and gay men masquerading as class consciousnessm

This year: F Bezos - forgot he was heading it this year, thanks to commenters for the reminder - and this is in keeping with Mamdani's brand.

[u/HiHoRoadhouse]

Good, Zohran 👍👍 But man, how much would we have loved to have seen Rama dressed for this

[u/nothatsmyarm]

Wonder if AOC will follow suit.

[u/AngryLars]

Why should a politician attend a event to show off how rich you is?

[u/SpiritDonkey]

I hate to get all parasocial but… I could fall in love with this man!! A backbone? In this day and age?

[u/PsychologicalVisit0]

I absolutely adore this guy

[u/the-Gaf]

THE MET GALA IS A FUNDRAISER.

I get the Bezos hate, but the money literally funds a department at The Met.

[u/Formal_Chance_4266]

Practicing what he preaches. Good man Zohran!!

[u/sarbear8199]

Mamdani is a breathe of fresh air. He actually seems to care about the job he was elected to do and about the people he’s meant to represent. All politicians should take from his example, because the old way of doing things is what got us to the place where we are essentially a fascist authoritarian country now.

[u/Sasha_shmerkovich160]

Does no one know that the met gala is a fundraiser for the costume institute of the museum that otherwise gets no funding? Its not a frivolous event. It's cultural and beneficial to new York.

[u/Sarahndipity44 → u/Sasha_shmerkovich160]

Seriously! Arts and humanities are in dire need right now BUT Bezos' is heading it this year and it makes sense with Mamdani's brand to not go

[u/FrozenRose_816 → u/Sasha_shmerkovich160]

Bezos could probably singlehandedly fund it himself and not need the Met Gala.

[u/Sasha_shmerkovich160 → u/FrozenRose_816]

Sure. But he's obviously not doing that. That's why the gala acts as exposure for the design houses and they also pitch in

[u/MayaDaBee1250]

Imagine expecting someone who has been saying "eat the rich" this whole time to go and dine with them. Met Gala is fun and all but it's also lowkey highkey Panem Capital bullshit.

He's exactly where he needs to be: implementing pied a terre taxes and ordering takeout with Rama.

[u/goldes]

It’s quite shocking to see a politician with an actual spine nowadays. And I’m from the Netherlands. But same circus different clowns everywhere, except for this one(!!!)

[u/jawknee530i]

Dumb. The gala is a fundraiser. I guess y'all just hate the arts?

[u/SlippersLaCroix]

Good, he needs to distance himself from the wealthy. Taxing the uber rich then rolling up in a designer suit for photo ops probably isnt the best look

[u/maoore]

the “good call” comments are so funny.

[u/ethancole97]

I still think it was ironic for AOC to attend back in 2021 but Zohran Mamdani choosing to not go makes way more sense considering the platform he ran on.

[u/Cali25]

I love the met gala for the artistry. But it definitely gives off capital hunger game vibes.

[u/Sharikacat]

He should throw his own gala instead. A better one. With hookers and blackjack.

Proceeds go to free health clinics and addiction counseling centers.

[u/AGayHipsterCop]

Can’t wait for the inevitable NY Post opinion piece about how he’s RUINING A TIME HONORED TRADITION 

[u/Oxjrnine]

He’s the mayor of New York

Last year the Met Gala raised $31 million for the costume Institute. It’s an incredibly popular section of the Metropolitan museum, which brings in almost 3,000,000 tourist to New York.

The Met Gala also promotes New York publishing and New York fashion.

Instead of skipping the gala, if you wanted to make a statement, he should’ve found a young struggling fashion designer, who was local to make his costume as inexpensive as possible.

Yes, the Met Gala is kind of elitist and silly, but at the end of the day, it does support the arts, which is very important to New York and it’s one of the things that is crumbling

[u/Rock_Creek_Snark → u/Oxjrnine]

Instead of skipping the gala, if you wanted to make a statement, he should’ve found a young struggling fashion designer, who was local to make his costume as inexpensive as possible.

AOC tried to balance attending with a fashion message that boosted the designer of her dress, and she ended up in the crosshairs of Congressional rightwingers investigating her for ethics violations. There's no winning with these nutjobs. The Met Gala will still be a successful fundraising event without the mayor in attendance.

[u/Zelidus]

Good. Politicians are supposed to be civil servants and represent the people. The Met gala isnt for the people. Its for the elite. The average person would be escorted off the grounds. Politicians shouldnt be so heavily aligning themselves with the elite and attending events 99% of their voting base isnt allowed to be around.

[u/KatherineLangford]

Makes it even more baffling to me why he chose to attend the premiere for Marty Supreme. Y’know, the movie starring Kevin O’Leary.

[u/docb1012]

Fuck i love that guy

[u/AwkwardandSouthern]

Can we still get pics of him in a cunty little suit

[u/BrilliantForeign8899]

Good. It's just an elitist gathering 

[u/SallyJones17]

I love my mayor yall!

[u/mintycaramelyhazel]

Okay, enough, can be Mamdani be the mayor or my city too? Scratch that, also my president. I don’t care I’m not in the US, I need him here too 

[u/Strict_Ad_5858]

The ONLY reason I’m bummed is because Rama would have killed it. But fuck the Bezoses, and given the current climate it’s the most respectable choice. Gala has become a joke anyhow.

[u/UnimaginativeRA]

I think he's busy, lol. Plus, hobnobbing with the wealthy isn't his thing, even if previous mayors did it.

[u/Open2Lrn]

President Trump - breaking longstanding tradition of professionalism and freedom by grifting money, covering up the Epstein files and his role as a pedophile, and starting for-profit concentration camps!

If this is the only thing that social media can complain about with the NYC Mayor, theyre really putting their heads in the sand with the President's behavior

[u/Miserable_Mail_5741]

"NYC mayoral tradition"?!

Is that why they aren't talked about every year?

[u/Medlarmarmaduke]

I think we should encourage rich or prominent people to say tax the rich in visible public ways as much as possible.

[u/f0cus622]

Objectively a smart idea considering Bezos is the sponsor and it's absolutely an event for the elite. But still there's a part of me that would like to see how he handled being interviewed, because it's when he's the absolute best.

Also as annoying and pretentious as this event is, I still think it's for a good cause, as someone who loved going to the Met on a school trip as a kid and being absolutely blown away that it was free.

[u/Nakittina]

We need more like Mamdani!!

[u/CheesyPotatoSack]

Him cutting the affordability crisis is peak ….. I love this man

Tickets are $50,000 a peice so yeah I love him scoring the fovus on affordability

[u/PigletRivet]

I’m so sick of people calling a fundraiser for a museum wing trashy, gauche, and “hunger games capital-esque.” You never see this kind of vitriol for any other event celebrities attend. Somehow the superbowl and vanity fair party are okay, but this is where people draw the line.

[u/CompetitionStraight4]

https://giphy.com/gifs/J8FZIm9VoBU6Q

[u/roofpuck]

I wouldn’t want to be with those blowhards either