Activists have launched a wheatpasting campaign across New York City calling for a boycott of the 2026 Met Gala. The protest targets the event's lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, highlighting Amazon's alleged exploitation of warehouse labor and its technological support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The posters, designed by the activist group Everyone Hates Elon, feature provocative imagery such as urine-filled water bottles and tear gas canisters to symbolize the human cost of Amazon's business practices.
The controversy underscores the increasing scrutiny of billionaire philanthropy and corporate sponsorship within major cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the Met Gala becomes a frequent flashpoint for political demonstrations—following significant pro-Palestine protests in 2024—this campaign reflects a growing demand for ethical accountability regarding the donors and figures who fund and lead high-profile art world events.