Donald Trump, once a regular at the Met Gala and even known for proposing to Melania on the way to the event in 2004, was notably absent this year—and has been for some time. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has led the Gala since 1997, made it clear back in 2017: “He will never be invited again.” Trump was a frequent attendee in the ’80s and ’90s with his ex-wives Ivana Trump and Marla Maples. However, after the start of his presidency, Wintour reportedly decided he no longer aligned with the event’s evolving values. She has maintained that the Gala is about “beauty, creativity, and reflecting history,” not politics—though politics seem to play a role in who’s invited. Trump isn’t the only high-profile figure excluded. Notably missing this year were allies like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” focused on Black designers and the role of fashion in challenging stereotypes—sending, as one cultural critic put it, “a clear message
