The Washington Post is reporting that celebrities arrived at the Met Gala on Monday as protesters gathered outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art to demonstrate against wealth inequality. It said the annual event serves to inaugurate the museum's new Condé M. Nast Galleries.
The Post reported that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, declined to attend the gala. It said Mamdani chose to skip the high-profile event to maintain his political focus on city affordability.
Protesters remained positioned outside the entrance to the gala as the red carpet festivities began. The event, known for its high-fashion celebrity attendance, faced scrutiny from activists highlighting the gap between the wealthy attendees and the economic challenges facing the public.