On May 7, 2025, Elon Musk, the eccentric billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, ignited a firestorm of controversy with a scathing critique of the Met Gala, calling it the âworst farceâ heâs ever witnessed. In a series of posts on X, Musk, who attended the event on May 5, 2025, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, described the star-studded affair as a gathering of âclownsâ engaged in âunprecedented ridicule.â His remarks, dripping with sarcasm, targeted the eventâs extravagant fashion and perceived superficiality, but it was his nine-word bombshell about its future that left the fashion world reeling: âMet Galaâs glory days are over, done.â The backlash on X under #MuskMetGala was immediate, with fans and critics divided over his bold stance.

The Met Gala, an annual fundraiser for the Costume Institute, is renowned for its over-the-top themes and celebrity appearances. This yearâs theme, âEternal Glamour,â saw attendees like Zendaya, Rihanna, and BeyoncĂŠ donning elaborate outfits, with Zendayaâs gold-plated gown and Rihannaâs feather cape dominating headlines. Musk, however, was unimpressed. In his X thread, he wrote, âWatched clowns parade in ridiculous outfits for hours. Pure nonsense.â He attended as a guest of Teslaâs board, marking his first appearance at the event, but his discomfort was palpable. Sources close to the event told Vogue that Musk spent much of the night on his phone, visibly disengaged, before leaving early.

Muskâs critique extended beyond the fashion. He took aim at the eventâs exclusivity and commercialization, calling it a âcircus for the eliteâ that has lost its cultural relevance. His nine-word prediction, âMet Galaâs glory days are over, done,â suggested a belief that the eventâs influence is waning, a view echoed by some industry insiders. Fashion historian Valerie Steele noted to The New York Times, âMuskâs comments reflect a growing sentiment that the Met Gala has become more about spectacle than substance.â The event, which raised $22 million in 2024, has faced criticism for its $75,000 ticket price and perceived disconnect from everyday audiences, a point Musk seized upon.

The reaction on X was polarized. One user wrote, âElon Musk is rightâMet Gala is a clown show!â Another countered, âMusk doesnât get fashion. Stick to rockets!â Celebrities responded too. Zendaya, via Instagram, dismissed Muskâs comments with, âEveryoneâs entitled to their opinion,â while Rihanna retweeted a meme of Musk as a confused onlooker, captioned, âLost in the glamour.â The fashion community, however, was less forgiving. Anna Wintour, the eventâs longtime chair, released a statement: âThe Met Gala celebrates art and creativity, not everyoneâs taste aligns.â Muskâs remarks also sparked memes, with one trending image showing him in a Tesla Cybertruck photobombed by gala attendees in outrageous costumes.
Muskâs history of provocative statements fueled the controversy. Known for his unfiltered X presenceâwhere he has 200 million followersâhe has previously criticized cultural events, including the Oscars in 2022, calling them âoverrated.â His attendance at the Met Gala was seen as a rare foray into high society, but his exit after two hours suggested a mismatch. Insiders revealed Musk felt the event lacked âsubstantive discussion,â preferring to focus on Teslaâs upcoming projects, including a Cybertruck rollout in Asia, over what he called âcostume parties.â
The nine-word prediction about the Met Galaâs future has sparked speculation. Some interpret it as Musk foreseeing a decline in viewershipâlast yearâs live stream drew 12 million viewers, down from 15 million in 2022âor a shift in cultural influence as younger generations turn to platforms like TikTok for fashion inspiration. Others see it as a challenge, with one X user suggesting, âMaybe Musk will start his own galaâTech Gala 2025?â Teslaâs stock dipped 1.2% post-comments, reflecting investor unease over Muskâs distractions, though analysts attribute it to broader market trends.
The fashion world now faces a dilemma. The Met Galaâs organizers are reportedly considering a response, possibly inviting Musk next year to engage him directly, though his scheduleâfilled with SpaceX launches and Tesla expansionsâmakes this unlikely. Muskâs critique has also reignited debates about the eventâs purpose, with some calling for a more inclusive format. For now, his shocking words hang over the industry, challenging its relevance in an era dominated by tech moguls like Musk, whose influence extends far beyond cars and rockets.
