Trending Now - Met Gala 2026 Sparks Controversy Over Bezos Sponsorship

WHO:

ABC News - Al Sharpton defended boycotts tied to Jeff Bezos’ sponsorship of the Met Gala.

US Magazine - Notable absentees included Zendaya, Meryl Streep, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Yahoo News Canada - A 72-year-old Amazon warehouse worker named Mary Hill called out Jeff Bezos in a video projected onto his penthouse, stating, "Shame on you, Jeff Bezos. The people that need to be being celebrated at the Met Gala are the workers, people like me."

Fox News - Jennifer Welch criticized celebrities attending the Bezos-sponsored Met Gala, accusing them of enabling "fascism."

ABC News - Co-chairs of the 2026 Met Gala included Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.

Yahoo - Notable attendees included Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Madonna, Cher, Bad Bunny, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Fox News - Critics of the gala included Taraji P. Henson, Mark Ruffalo, Bella Hadid, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Yahoo News UK - Taraji P. Henson expressed confusion about attendees at the Bezos-sponsored gala.

WHAT:

US Magazine - The Met Gala raised $42 million, consistent with previous reports.

Yahoo News UK - Activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City, including "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala."

Yahoo News Canada - The activist group "Everyone Hates Elon" installed a "VIP toilet" featuring empty water bottles as a comment on reports that Amazon drivers pee in bottles to meet delivery expectations.

Yahoo News UK - Activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City leading up to the gala, including "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala."

Yahoo News UK - An anti-Bezos video featuring an Amazon worker was projected onto the side of Bezos' building on the day of the gala.

US Magazine - The 2026 Met Gala raised $42 million, maintaining the same amount as reported previously.

Yahoo - The 2026 Met Gala raised $42 million.

Yahoo - The theme for the 2026 Met Gala was "Costume Art," with a dress code of "Fashion Is Art."

CNN - Beyoncé's gown featured an illusion of a naked dress adorned with crystals and a feathered train.

The Hollywood Reporter - Sabrina Carpenter performed at the gala, singing hits including "House Tour" and "Espresso."

ABC News - The gala featured a dinner inspired by Northern Italian gardens, including a rack of lamb and Parmesan gnocchi.

WHERE:

US Magazine - The 2026 Met Gala took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Yahoo - The gala was held on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

WHEN:

US Magazine - The Met Gala occurred on May 4, 2026.

The Hollywood Reporter - The exhibition "Costume Art" is set to debut to the public on May 10, 2026.

WHY:

Yahoo News UK - Taraji P. Henson expressed her confusion about attendees at the gala, stating, "I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!"

Yahoo News Canada - Mary Hill expressed her frustration about struggling from paycheck to paycheck, emphasizing that ordinary workers deserve recognition and celebration, stating, "If we built it, we can tear it down."

Yahoo News UK - Taraji P. Henson expressed her confusion about attendees at the gala, stating, "I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?!"

Yahoo News UK - The backlash against the gala was fueled by Jeff Bezos' sponsorship, which critics linked to wealth inequality and corporate influence in social issues.

HOW:

Yahoo News Canada - Activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City, including a message that read, "The Bezos Met Gala invites you to party like it's 1939. Democracy is so last season. Dress code: willful ignorance."

Yahoo News UK - Activists used various methods, including projecting messages and organizing protests, to voice their opposition to Bezos' sponsorship of the gala.

Yahoo News UK - Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos sponsored the gala, reportedly contributing at least $10 million.

Fox News - Activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City leading up to the gala.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Al Sharpton has come forward to defend the boycotts related to Jeff Bezos’ sponsorship of the Met Gala, which raised an impressive $42 million, consistent with previous reports. Notable absentees from the star-studded event included Zendaya, Meryl Streep, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings, urging people to "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala." In a moment of confusion, actress Taraji P. Henson expressed her disbelief about the gala attendees, saying, "I am just like WTF ARE WE DOING!?!?!?," as the activist group "Everyone Hates Elon" made a statement with a "VIP toilet" installation featuring empty water bottles.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 11:32 UTC)

A 72-year-old Amazon warehouse worker named Mary Hill called out Jeff Bezos in a powerful video projected onto his penthouse, urging that the workers, like herself, deserve to be celebrated at events like the Met Gala. In a related protest, the activist group "Everyone Hates Elon" installed a "VIP toilet" filled with empty water bottles, highlighting the troubling reports that Amazon drivers are forced to urinate in bottles to meet delivery demands. Activists also took to the streets of New York City, projecting messages against Bezos, including one that read, "The Bezos Met Gala invites you to party like it's 1939. Democracy is so last season. Dress code: willful ignorance."

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 04:12 UTC)

Jennifer Welch criticized celebrities attending the Bezos-sponsored Met Gala, claiming they are enabling "fascism." In the lead-up to the event, activists projected messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City, including calls to "Boycott the Bezos Met Gala," and even showcased an anti-Bezos video featuring an Amazon worker on the day of the gala. Despite the controversy, the 2026 Met Gala successfully raised $42 million, the same amount as reported previously.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 01:25 UTC)

The 2026 Met Gala, co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, raised an impressive $42 million. Notable attendees included stars like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Madonna, and Cher, while critics such as Taraji P. Henson and Senator Elizabeth Warren voiced their concerns about the event, particularly regarding its sponsorship by Jeff Bezos. The gala, themed "Costume Art" with a dress code of "Fashion Is Art," took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 4, 2026, and featured a dinner inspired by Northern Italian gardens. Beyoncé wowed the crowd in a stunning gown that created the illusion of a naked dress, while Sabrina Carpenter entertained guests with her performances of "House Tour" and "Espresso." Activists made their voices heard by projecting messages against Bezos onto buildings in New York City in the lead-up to the gala, highlighting ongoing concerns about wealth inequality and corporate influence.