Despite once proposing to Melania en route to the Met Gala, Donald Trump was noticeably absent from this year’s event — and hasn’t been welcome in years.

Held annually on the first Monday of May, the Met Gala is one of the fashion world’s most exclusive events. Yet former President Trump, one of the most recognizable figures globally, is permanently banned.

Anna Wintour’s decision

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who has chaired the Gala since 1997, confirmed in 2017 that Trump would never be invited again. The decision reportedly came early in his first presidential term and still stands during his second.

Trump’s history with the Gala

Trump was once a Met Gala regular, attending throughout the ’80s and ’90s with Ivana Trump and Marla Maples. His 2004 proposal to Melania happened en route to the event, gaining media attention. But as the Gala’s tone shifted, so did its guest list.

Though Wintour claims the event isn’t political, recent choices suggest otherwise.

Not just Trump

Trump isn’t the only high-profile figure left off the guest list. Allies like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg were also absent this year.

This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, focused on Black designers and how fashion has challenged stereotypes — a theme cultural critics say carried strong political undertones.