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 “worst farce” he’s 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 “clowns” engaged in “unprecedented ridicule.” His remarks, dripping with sarcasm, targeted the event’s extravagant fashion and perceived superficiality, but it was his nine-word bombshell about its future that left the fashion world reeling: “Met Gala’s glory days are over, done.” 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 year’s theme, “Eternal Glamour,” saw attendees like Zendaya, Rihanna, and Beyoncé donning elaborate outfits, with Zendaya’s gold-plated gown and Rihanna’s feather cape dominating headlines. Musk, however, was unimpressed. In his X thread, he wrote, “Watched clowns parade in ridiculous outfits for hours. Pure nonsense.” He attended as a guest of Tesla’s 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.
Musk’s critique extended beyond the fashion. He took aim at the event’s exclusivity and commercialization, calling it a “circus for the elite” that has lost its cultural relevance. His nine-word prediction, “Met Gala’s glory days are over, done,” suggested a belief that the event’s influence is waning, a view echoed by some industry insiders. Fashion historian Valerie Steele noted to The New York Times, “Musk’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that the Met Gala has become more about spectacle than substance.” 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, “Elon Musk is right—Met Gala is a clown show!” Another countered, “Musk doesn’t get fashion. Stick to rockets!” Celebrities responded too. Zendaya, via Instagram, dismissed Musk’s comments with, “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” while Rihanna retweeted a meme of Musk as a confused onlooker, captioned, “Lost in the glamour.” The fashion community, however, was less forgiving. Anna Wintour, the event’s longtime chair, released a statement: “The Met Gala celebrates art and creativity, not everyone’s taste aligns.” Musk’s remarks also sparked memes, with one trending image showing him in a Tesla Cybertruck photobombed by gala attendees in outrageous costumes.
Musk’s history of provocative statements fueled the controversy. Known for his unfiltered X presence—where he has 200 million followers—he has previously criticized cultural events, including the Oscars in 2022, calling them “overrated.” 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 “substantive discussion,” preferring to focus on Tesla’s upcoming projects, including a Cybertruck rollout in Asia, over what he called “costume parties.”
The nine-word prediction about the Met Gala’s future has sparked speculation. Some interpret it as Musk foreseeing a decline in viewership—last year’s live stream drew 12 million viewers, down from 15 million in 2022—or 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, “Maybe Musk will start his own gala—Tech Gala 2025?” Tesla’s stock dipped 1.2% post-comments, reflecting investor unease over Musk’s distractions, though analysts attribute it to broader market trends.
The fashion world now faces a dilemma. The Met Gala’s organizers are reportedly considering a response, possibly inviting Musk next year to engage him directly, though his schedule—filled with SpaceX launches and Tesla expansions—makes this unlikely. Musk’s critique has also reignited debates about the event’s 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.
