Article continues below advertisementThe Met Gala has always thrived on spectacle, but in 2026, the real drama unfolded beyond the red carpet.As the event raised a record-breaking $42 million for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, it also found itself at the center of a cultural debate over billionaire influence, protest movements, and the evolving optics of philanthropy.Article continues below advertisementA Record Year Powered by Tech MoneyTap Here To Add Ok Magazine as A Trusted SourceSource: MEGAProtesters targeted Jeff Bezos during the event.