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

It’s been more than ten years since former President Donald Trump walked the red carpet at the Met Gala, but a 2017 interview clip with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour might finally explain his long absence.

Before his political career, Trump was a regular at the star-studded fashion event, often attending alongside Melania. Known for his signature tuxedo and sharply styled hair, he was part of the Met Gala scene throughout the 2000s. In fact, it was at the 2005 Met Gala where he proposed to Melania with a 12-carat emerald-cut diamond ring—a moment that grabbed headlines at the time.

But Trump hasn’t appeared at the event since 2012, sparking questions about whether he’s been unofficially banned.

In 2017, Wintour appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden and was asked if there was anyone she would never invite back to the Met Gala. Her answer was a single, pointed word: “Trump.”

That brief remark fueled speculation that he’d been blacklisted from the event. With the 2025 Met Gala now over, conversation about Trump’s absence has picked up again on social media. One user posted, “Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris got invited… he’s probably SEETHING… GOOD!” Others highlighted the symbolism, noting the contrast between Trump’s current absence and his past prominence at the Gala.

Still, not all the chatter has been celebratory. Some questioned whether Wintour’s influence is still relevant, arguing that the Met Gala has become more about celebrity spectacle than fashion innovation. Others, however, praised her stance as a subtle political message.

Back in the day, Trump and Melania were one of the most recognized couples at the Met Gala. They posed confidently for cameras, always dressed to impress. A well-known 2004 photo shows Melania flashing her engagement ring; in another from 2012, the couple appears as elegant as ever.

Melania’s path to that glamorous world wasn’t easy. Born to working-class parents in Slovenia, she eventually moved to New York to pursue a modeling career. She met Donald in 1998 during Fashion Week. According to reports, he was originally supposed to meet someone else that night, but Melania caught his eye. Their relationship grew slowly—fueled by his persistence and extravagant gestures—and she eventually moved into Trump Tower. They married in 2005 and had their son Barron in 2006. Trump also has four children from previous marriages: Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany.

For the Trumps, the Met Gala isn’t just a glamorous event—it marks a personal milestone in their relationship. But as this year’s gala wrapped up with no Trump appearance, many online are once again reflecting on his long-running absence from fashion’s biggest night.

Whether due to a quiet snub from Anna Wintour or Trump’s own shift in priorities, it’s clear the Met Gala has moved on. And for now, the red carpet that once saw a Trump proposal no longer has room for its former guest.