Activist groups are calling for a boycott of the 2026 [1] Met Gala due to the involvement of Jeff Bezos.

The protests highlight a growing tension between high-fashion philanthropy and corporate ethics. Critics argue that the presence of billionaires as primary funders for cultural institutions obscures systemic labor issues.

Posters have appeared on streets across New York City urging people to skip the event [2]. The campaign targets Bezos, who is serving as a co-chair and sponsor for the gala [3, 4]. Activists said that Bezos' involvement represents corporate influence and worker exploitation [5, 6].

The boycott efforts intensified as the event date approached, with posters appearing in mid-April 2026 [7, 8]. These displays are designed to bring public attention to the funding sources of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual fundraiser.

Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are funding and co-chairing the event [9]. While the gala is traditionally a celebration of fashion and art, the current atmosphere in New York City reflects a shift toward political scrutiny of the event's financial backers.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has not issued a formal response to the street protests. The boycott movement continues to gain visibility through social media and physical signage across the city [2, 10].

“Activists allege that Bezos' involvement represents corporate influence and worker exploitation.”

This movement reflects a broader trend of 'philanthropic scrutiny,' where the public questions the ethics of billionaires using high-profile cultural sponsorships to improve their public image. By targeting the Met Gala, activists are attempting to link the luxury of the fashion world to the labor conditions of the corporate entities that fund it.