Fashion’s most spectacular and star-studded evening, the Met Gala has long drawn the most glamorous people—Oscar winners, chart-topping musicians, and powerful people across many fields. But one well-known individual has been especially missing for more than ten years: former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Why was Trump banned?
Trump was a frequent attendee of the Met Gala until 2012, says The Independent. But after he began serving as president in 2016, his requests allegedly ceased. Many think Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue, who manages the guest list for the private yearly event, made the choice.
Although Wintour has never officially stated her reasons, she has been a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and keeps up close relations with people like the Obamas. She has also openly opposed Trump’s policies.
Wintour was questioned during a 2017 episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden to identify someone she would never welcome back to the Met Gala. Her one-word answer was “Trump.”
Other Celebrities Who’ve Been Banned
Trump is not the only well-known person excluded from fashion’s largest evening. According to The Independent:
- TV personality and fashion advisor Tim Gunn was apparently barred after he commented negatively on Wintour.
- Zayn Malik, who criticized the event afterward and has not been invited back, attended in 2016 with former girlfriend Gigi Hadid.
- After expressing negative or critical remarks about Wintour and the Met Gala scene, Tina Fey and Lili Reinhart are also said to have been blacklisted.
Met Gala 2025 Theme
In keeping with the continuing cultural reckoning following the Black Lives Matter movement, the 2025 edition of the Met Gala centered on Black style and dandyism’s subversive past.
LeBron James was the honorary chair; Andre 3000, Simone Biles, Doechii, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Spike Lee made up a star-studded hosting committee.
