Why everyone's talking about Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez and the Met Gala.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala, also known as the Met Gala, is really the pinnacle of celebrity and high-fashion spectacle.

While the newly announced 2026 theme, "Costume Art," should be the headline, it's actually the list of lead sponsors that has divided the internet.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently announced that the world's third-richest man, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, will serve as the lead sponsors for the 2026 event, alongside donors Condé Nast and Saint Laurent, giving them significant influence over key elements of the night.

This decision also breaks a long-standing tradition. Historically, the primary sponsorship role has been held by a major legacy fashion house. These houses, like Louis Vuitton — which dressed numerous stars at last year's event — are crucial to communicating the artistic and sartorial direction of the gala. 

And people are not happy. 

WATCH: Lauren Sanchez's Blue Origin announcement. Article continues after video.

One major points of contention revolves around the couple's star-studded address book. As lead sponsors, Bezos and Sánchez will presumably influence the approximately 450-person guest list.

Given their recent, extravagant Venice wedding — attended by figures like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, the Kardashians, and even Ivanka Trump and actor Sydney Sweeney — some fear the gala's seating chart could become populated by politically aligned business magnates and figures known for their conservative leanings.

"Bezos like every right-wing billionaire continue their streaks buying up culture institutions, suffocating them of their authenticity, independence, and gatekeeping (idk if that's the right word). Another pillar of culture slowly consolidating under one billionaire's aesthetic, politics, and PR strategy," someone shared on Instagram. 

Jeff bezos is sponsoring the next met gala pic.twitter.com/vWmV7SenEZ

— bri (@yslbriii) November 17, 2025

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez just leveled up from Amazon Prime Day to Met Gala sponsor—because apparently, two-day shipping wasn’t enough, now they want to overnight ship their political vibes too. Forget haute couture; this year’s guest list could feel like a billionaire pic.twitter.com/df2KpBVimi

— Kristen Van Nest ✍️ Author of WHERE TO NEST (@KristenVanNest) November 18, 2025

It was inevitable that Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez Bezos, thirsty for cultural domination, would sink their claws into the Met Gala via sponsorship. Their entire media rollout has been leading to this exact moment. When THAT purchase announcement comes next….don’t act shocked ⏰

— Louis Pisano (@LouisPisano) November 17, 2025

Other accusations include that the couple is simply attempting to purchase their way into these cultural spaces. Some argue that this decision highlights a darker reality where the stages, institutions, and even the media that shape public culture are increasingly being dictated by a handful of ultra-wealthy players.

"Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos sponsoring the Met gala. Booo!!!!! They're really using Condé Nast to shoehorn their way into every space," one user wrote on X. 

"It was inevitable that Jeff Bezos & Lauren Sánchez Bezos, thirsty for cultural domination, would sink their claws into the Met Gala via sponsorship. Their entire media rollout has been leading to this exact moment. When THAT purchase announcement comes next… don't act shocked," another wrote. 

For many observers, this sponsorship is not just a commercial arrangement but a strategic cultural play, signalling a shift where immense wealth can now directly dictate access to and control over one of the most revered institutions in the art and fashion world.

Feature Image: Getty.