Why Donald Trump Hasn’t Been to the Met Gala in Over a Decade

Donald Trump was once a Met Gala regular, famously proposing to Melania there in 2005. But since 2012, he’s been absent from fashion’s biggest night—fueling speculation about a ban. In a 2017 interview, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who controls the guest list, was asked who she’d never invite back. Her one-word reply: “Trump.” That comment sparked ongoing rumors of an unofficial blacklist.

While some social media users celebrated his continued absence during the 2025 Gala, others debated Wintour’s influence and the event’s evolving purpose.

Trump and Melania’s past appearances were high-profile, symbolizing their polished public image. Their relationship began in 1998 and grew through shared moments like the Gala.

Now, as the Met Gala continues without him, Trump’s absence says as much as his presence once did.