Activists planted hundreds of bottles filled with fake urine throughout the Metropolitan Museum of Art just hours before the 2026 Met Gala, targeting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez for their involvement in fashion’s most exclusive event.
Disgusting Protest Targets Billionaire Event Chairs
Staff at the Metropolitan Museum of Art discovered the bottles of yellow liquid hidden near priceless artifacts on Monday, May 4. The anti-billionaire group Everyone Hates Elon, funded by 1,000 donors worldwide, orchestrated the stunt to highlight claims that Amazon warehouse workers face harsh conditions. Outside the museum, protesters installed baskets with empty water bottles and a sign reading “The Met Gala VIP toilet. Installed in honor of Met Gala chair Jeff Bezos. Go ahead, it’s good enough for his staff.”
The demonstration referenced longstanding accusations that Amazon employees must urinate in bottles due to strict break policies. Amazon faced similar claims in 2021 and acknowledged drivers sometimes struggle to find restrooms due to traffic constraints. Bezos, 62, and Sanchez, 56, bankrolled much of this year’s Met Gala, drawing fury from activists who oppose billionaire influence in cultural institutions. The couple reportedly hosted a pre-gala party at their Fifth Avenue penthouse before the Monday night event.
Citywide Campaign Targets Bezos Properties
On Sunday evening, protesters projected messages onto New York landmarks including the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building. The projections read “Boycott the Bezos Met Gala” and “no red carpet for Trump’s billionaires.” Video testimonials from Amazon workers were also cast onto Bezos’s penthouse building. A spokesman for Everyone Hates Elon stated they wanted to prevent the billionaire from “using celebrity and fashion to hide his crimes.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Amazon have not yet commented on the protests or the bottles found inside the venue.
Growing Backlash Against Billionaire Involvement
The protests represent escalating tensions over wealth inequality and corporate practices in America. Critics argue that billionaires should not chair prestigious cultural events while their companies face worker treatment allegations. The controversy threatens to overshadow the Met Gala’s traditional focus on haute couture and celebrity fashion. Current and former Amazon workers supported the activist campaign, which organizers say aims to expose corporate practices behind the glamorous facade. The incident highlights ongoing debates about labor conditions, billionaire influence, and the appropriate role of wealth in American cultural institutions.