Donald Trump’s Longstanding Absence from the Met Gala Resurfaces — Here’s Why He Was Never Invited Back
It’s been over a decade since Donald Trump last graced the red carpet at the Met Gala, but a resurfaced interview clip from 2017 may finally reveal the real reason behind his long-standing absence from fashion’s most prestigious night.
Long before his political career, Trump was a familiar face at the Met Gala, frequently attending alongside his wife, Melania. Their appearances were classic Trump: sharp tuxedos, elegant gowns, and no shortage of camera flashes. In fact, it was at the 2005 Met Gala that Trump proposed to Melania, presenting her with a 12-carat emerald-cut diamond that grabbed national headlines.
But after 2012, the former president seemed to vanish from the event entirely—prompting years of speculation about whether he was intentionally left off the guest list.
Then came 2017. During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour—who curates the coveted guest list each year—was asked if there was anyone she’d never invite back to the Met Gala. Her one-word response was delivered with icy precision:
“Trump.”
That curt reply ignited rumors that Trump had been blacklisted from the event. And now, in the wake of the 2025 Met Gala, those whispers have once again become the center of online conversation.
Social media lit up with reactions. One user on X wrote, “Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris got invited… he’s probably SEETHING… GOOD!” Another quipped, “Funny how she’s there while Donald Trump is still banned from the Met Gala.” Many noted the symbolism, considering how central the Met Gala once was to Trump’s public image—and his personal life.
However, not all responses were celebratory. Critics of Anna Wintour questioned her influence, suggesting Vogue’s cultural cachet has declined and that the Met Gala now feels more like a celebrity circus than a true fashion institution. Yet others defended Wintour, applauding her quiet but unmistakable stance on political values.
Throughout the 2000s, the Trumps were Met Gala regulars. Melania, in particular, always turned heads, from her sparkling jewelry to her sophisticated silhouettes. Photos from the 2004 and 2012 Galas show the couple posing confidently—flawless, poised, and the epitome of a high-society power duo.
Melania’s rise to that red carpet was a story in itself. Born to working-class parents in Slovenia, she worked her way into the modeling industry and eventually moved to New York in pursuit of her dreams. She met Donald during Fashion Week in 1998 at a party he wasn’t even supposed to attend. Despite initial hesitation, she was intrigued by his persistence—and the fact that he gave her multiple phone numbers.
Their romance unfolded like a tabloid fairy tale: whirlwind dates, weekends in private jets, and a wedding fit for a billionaire in 2005. The couple welcomed their son Barron in 2006. Trump also has four children from his previous marriages: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany.
For the Trumps, the Met Gala holds a certain nostalgia—not just for its glamor, but for its role in their love story. But in 2025, as fashion’s elite gathered once again at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Trump remained notably absent.
Whether his exclusion is due to Wintour’s firm hand or simply a shift in priorities, one thing is clear: the red carpet that once hosted his proposal now has no place for him. And in the world of high fashion, some doors—once closed—stay that way.