The Met Gala, known as fashion's biggest night and the world’s most glamorous event, sees A-list celebrities walking down the red carpet in bold, theme-inspired outfits each year.
However, despite the event's star-studded guest list, US President Donald Trump was not present at the event. This has raised questions: is Donald Trump banned from the Met Gala, along with other prominent figures?
Is Trump banned from the Met Gala?
The guest list every year is picked by Vogue's editor-in-chief and gala chair Anna Wintour. Since 1995, she has said that Trump will never be invited to the Met Gala again.
In a 2017 episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Anna Wintour revealed that Donald Trump is someone she would never invite back to the Met Gala when asked whom she would never welcome again to the event.
Trump was a regular guest at the Met Gala from the mid-1980s through 2012, often attending with family members such as Ivana, Melania, and Ivanka Trump.
Why Wintour banned Trump?
In the interview, Met Gala chair Anna Wintour did not elaborate on the reason, although she has previously voiced opposition to Trump’s policies and has been a vocal critic of his administration.
Wintour, known for her strong political views, has been a long-time supporter of the Democratic Party and has maintained close relationships with figures like the Obamas and the Clintons.
List of Other Celebrities Banned
After the event started in 1948 snice then, several celebrities have been excluded from the prestigious Met Gala, whether due to personal feuds, critical comments, or voluntary decisions to step away from the event.
Fashion mentor Tim Gunn has claimed he was blacklisted after sharing an anecdote about Anna Wintour being carried down a staircase by bodyguards, a story she reportedly didn’t appreciate. Their fallout escalated into what Gunn called “an open war.”
The Met Gala is held every year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Singer Zayn Malik made his last appearance on the Met Gala red carpet in 2016, after which he criticized the event as self-indulgent and expressed his desire never to return.
Actress Lili Reinhart appeared to lose popularity after she criticized Kim Kardashian's extreme diet for the 2022 gala. Tina Fey also distanced herself, labeling the Met Gala as a 'jerk parade.'
Rebecca Minkoff, Rachel Zoe, and Eugenio Casnighi, among others, have been "allegedly banned" from the Met Gala, according to BuzzFeed.
Other celebrities, such as Demi Lovato, Amy Schumer, and Gwyneth Paltrow, have voiced their dissatisfaction in the past, although some have since returned to the event.
As the 2025 Met Gala approaches, the exclusivity of the event continues to spark discussions, highlighting the meticulous curation of the guest list and the behind-the-scenes controversies surrounding it.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!