It’s been over a decade since Donald Trump made an appearance at the Met Gala, but a resurfaced interview clip from 2017 might finally explain why he’s been absent from fashion’s most exclusive night. Before he entered politics, Trump was a regular attendee, often seen walking the red carpet with Melania. However, since 2012, he’s been notably missing from the annual celebration, prompting speculation about whether he’s been banned.

Trump’s past appearances at the Met Gala showcased his signature look—black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, and carefully styled hair. Melania often complemented his outfit in equally glamorous fashion. It was even at the 2005 Met Gala that he proposed to her, presenting a 12-carat emerald-cut diamond ring that made headlines.

But in 2017, Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who curates the event’s guest list, was asked on “The Late Late Show with James Corden” if there was anyone she would never invite back to the Gala. Her answer was blunt and left no room for interpretation: “Trump.”

That single word, uttered with Wintour’s signature poise, sparked widespread belief that Trump had been unofficially blacklisted from the event. With the 2025 Met Gala now behind us, conversation around this supposed ban has reignited across social media.

One user on X expressed delight: “Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris got invited… he’s probably SEETHING… GOOD!” Another commented, “Funny how she’s there while Donald Trump is still banned from the Met Gala.” Some noted the symbolism, recalling that the Met Gala was once an important place in Trump’s life—particularly as the site of his engagement to Melania.