Activists in New York City protested the 2026 Met Gala on May 4 [1] to oppose the event's main benefactors.

The demonstrations highlight growing public scrutiny of billionaire influence and corporate labor practices, specifically those associated with Amazon. By targeting the gala, protesters sought to disrupt one of the world's most exclusive fashion events to draw attention to social and economic grievances.

Protesters dubbed the occasion the "Bezos Met Gala" after Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, were named the primary sponsors of the event [4, 6]. The group called for a boycott of the festivities, and some activists said the call for a boycott appeared just hours before the event began [2].

The demonstrations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art included a variety of trolling tactics. Activists carried signs and utilized hidden bottles containing what they described as urine [3]. The protests escalated on Monday night when a protester stormed the red-carpet railing [3].

Police responded to the disruptions, and reports indicate that officers tackled a protester during the anti-Bezos demonstrations [5]. The activists linked their anger toward the gala's sponsorship to the business practices of Amazon [4].

Despite the disruptions, the gala proceeded as a high-profile gathering of celebrities and fashion icons. The contrast between the luxury of the red carpet and the intensity of the protests created a stark visual divide outside the museum [1, 6].

“Activists dubbed the occasion the "Bezos Met Gala"”

The targeting of the Met Gala reflects a shift in activist strategy, moving from traditional picket lines to 'trolling' high-visibility luxury events. By associating a prestigious cultural institution with the corporate reputation of Amazon, protesters aim to create a public relations crisis for the sponsors during their moment of peak visibility.