An activist group placed hundreds of miniature bottles of fake urine inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Friday, protesting Jeff Bezos' involvement as an honorary co-chair and lead donor of the 2026 Met Gala. The group, Everyone Hates Elon, which describes itself as anti-billionaire, targeted Bezos over allegations that Amazon workers are denied bathroom breaks.
The stunt involved nearly 300 small bottles, each bearing a picture of Bezos' face and the words 'Boycott the Bezos Met Gala'. The group posted on Instagram: 'Jeff Bezos's company Amazon is literally being sued for forcing workers to urinate in bottles. Amazon avoids MILLIONS in tax and Bezos is one of the world's richest men. The Met Museum is taking the PISS by having Jeff honoured as their Gala host.'
Near the museum, the group also put up posters reading: 'Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by the firm that powers ICE.' Bezos has faced criticism over Amazon's treatment of workers, including a 2024 report that workers in India's Manesar warehouse pledged not to take breaks until meeting targets. Critics also accuse Bezos of buying influence at the fashion event, noting his recent funding of a Melania Trump film via Amazon MGM.
Anna Wintour, the Met Gala chair, defended the couple's involvement, telling CNN in November: 'I think Lauren is going to be a wonderful asset to the museum and to the event.' However, the sponsorship breaks precedent by not having a legacy fashion house as primary sponsor. Amid the backlash, celebrities including Zendaya and Meryl Streep are skipping the gala, with reports suggesting Streep turned down a co-chair role due to Bezos and Sánchez's involvement.
