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NYC Mayor Rejects Met Gala Invite Over Billionaire Influence

4/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, declined an invitation to the Met Gala alongside first lady Rama Duwaji, saying attending would contradict his beliefs about billionaire influence.
The Met Gala supports the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and attracts political leaders and celebrities, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos among lead donors.
Representatives for the mayor and the museum did not comment on the matter.

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Story summary

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, declined an invitation to the Met Gala alongside first lady Rama Duwaji, saying attending would contradict his beliefs about billionaire influence.
The Met Gala supports the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and attracts political leaders and celebrities, with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez-Bezos among lead donors.
Representatives for the mayor and the museum did not comment on the matter.