New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) took a page from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s book and wore his politics to Monday evening’s Met Gala.
Adams made his appearance at the glamorous event wearing a long tuxedo jacket emblazoned with tribal designs and the words “end gun violence.”
A graphic featuring a handgun inside a red circle with a line through it was the focal point of the jacket’s back.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams used his #MetGala look to send a message: "End gun violence."
For more of AP's coverage: https://t.co/nW5rDeFhce pic.twitter.com/7A6NS34MBC
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 3, 2022
“Bringing a little swagger back to the #MetGala,” Adams tweeted with several photos. “Honored to be here.”
Bringing a little swagger back to the #MetGala!
Honored to be here. pic.twitter.com/PuyOfy6FmQ
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 3, 2022
Teen publication Affinity Magazine shared photos of Adams along with the caption, “NYC mayor Eric Adams shows up to the #METGala wearing a suit that reads ‘End gun violence’ as if that wasn’t his job.”
NYC mayor Eric Adams shows up to the #METGala wearing a suit that reads “End gun violence” as if that wasn’t his job. 😐 pic.twitter.com/o54veZbC5U
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) May 2, 2022
Other critics noted that he was the mayor and therefore responsible for fixing the problem — and some blamed him for putting more police on the streets, claiming that the only reason for increasing gun violence in New York City was the fact that there were more armed police officers perpetrating that violence.
“I hope that the mayor of the largest city in the U.S., which also has a problem with gun violence, sees his message,” Digital Trends editor-in-chief Andrew Martonik said.
I hope that the mayor of the largest city in the U.S., which also has a problem with gun violence, sees his message. https://t.co/6oLLJPKVgX
— Andrew Martonik (@andrewmartonik) May 3, 2022
“He wants to be a celebrity so bad,” editor and film critic Valerie Complex added.
“i wonder how many homeless people the nypd brutalized and displaced while eric adams posed for pics in his cartoon tux at the met gala,” tweeted @mxtaliajane.
“@ericadamsfornyc is looking more and more like De Blaz 2.0. Not only is this sort of theater out of touch, it’s insulting to the families who have lost loved ones to the failed policies of progressives who behave exactly like this,” Bradley Stein commented.
Adams also tweeted his thanks to a local nail salon for helping him prepare for the big event.
“Thank you to Cuccio Nail Salon in Washington Heights for getting me ready for the #MetGala! It’s #SmallBusinessWeek in New York City — shop local!” he said.
Thank you to Cuccio Nail Salon in Washington Heights for getting me ready for the #MetGala!
It’s #SmallBusinessWeek in New York City — shop local! pic.twitter.com/EAmJCE6jZ6
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 2, 2022
Adams’ statement jacket was a throwback to Ocasio-Cortez’s dress from last year’s gala — which was held in November after COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions forced organizers to postpone the event.
Ocasio-Cortez showed up at the event wearing a mermaid-hemmed off-the-shoulder white dress with the words “Tax the Rich” emblazoned across the back.
AOC wears "Tax the Rich" dress to Met Gala https://t.co/v5XLWew7SO pic.twitter.com/NzayVmWMsH
— New York Post (@nypost) September 14, 2021