Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may belong to the same ideological family, but the New York City politicians have made opposite decisions on how they want to treat the legendary Met Gala. They see it as two entirely different political theaters, as this year's edition is showing.
The recently appointed mayor of the Big Apple has said he will not attend the 2026 Costume Institute Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum, a notable decision because city leaders have historically shown up at the event. AP reported that his refusal stood out precisely because the gala remains one of New York's most visible gatherings of wealth, fashion, and power.
