Mamdani says no to the Met Gala and yes to reading stories to children with Obama

Despite being invited to attend the Met Gala on May 4, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani declined, along with his wife, Rama Duwaji.

He framed the decision as consistent with his political stance. “I don’t believe we should have billionaires,” he said during his campaign.

The Met Gala gathers some of the country’s wealthiest figures to raise funds for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world’s largest museums. The city’s mayor is traditionally invited as a guest of honor and, until now, no mayor had declined.

This year’s gala, backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez, explores the relationship between the body and clothing.

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Rama Duwaji brings Lebanese couture to New York City Hall

A break with tradition

The couple’s absence marks a departure from precedent. Former head of Vogue Anna Wintour previously praised Duwaji, a Syrian-born illustrator, for her style, describing her as “young and modern” and noting her preference for vintage clothing.

Instead of attending the gala, Mamdani has focused on child protection initiatives in New York, including a $2 million plan. As part of that effort, he met former President Barack Obama and brought him to a preschool in the Bronx, opting for a community visit over a formal reception.

A visit focused on early education

Obama joined the mayor in reading to children at the Learning Through Play preschool center. The visit aimed to promote early childhood literacy. The two also sang “Wheels on the Bus” with the children.

“Great spending time with New York City’s Cutest,” Obama wrote on X after the event.

The Bronx, known for its cultural diversity, has seen a significant decline in violence in recent years. About 30 percent of its population is under 18.