'Have some conviction': Jennifer Welch slams Met Gala stars for Jeff Bezos link

Former 'Bravo' star Jennifer Welch on Tuesday slammed celebrities who attended the 2026 Met Gala, accusing them of supporting "billionaire fascism" and President Donald Trump's pro-rich policies. The event drew massive backlash after Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Laura Sánchez, were named the chair and sponsors, amid the ongoing workers' rights protest and uproar against wealth inequality.  Welch, who has emerged as one of America’s most outspoken liberals, bashed the event and its attendees, claiming they "will be remembered" for their insensitivity. 

The 2026 edition of the coveted, invite-only event was sponsored by the Bezoses, who reportedly spent $10 million to serve as honorary co-chairs. Since the announcement of their sponsorship, the event drew stiff backlash as Amazon last year reportedly planned to execute one of its biggest layoffs, cutting 30,000 jobs, according to Reuters. It is speculated that the company further plans to cut 600,000 warehouse and logistics jobs for a wider push for automation, in a move that has led to widespread protests from workers, according to the New York Times. Thus, his paying millions for the event drew sharp backlash, with people accusing Bezos of ignoring workers' rights. 

"It is chump change for Jeff Bezos to write a check for $10 million to try to launder his trashy wife's existence into the cool kid club, and shame on everybody that is allowing for that to happen," Welch said on her 'I've Had It' show with co-host Angie "Pumps" Sullivan. "Every single attendee of that Met Gala will always be remembered for this moment. This moment when American citizens are getting shot. This moment when everybody is laundering the image of our dementia-ridden, Weekend at Bernie’s president, who is just so morally depraved, psychotic, and idiotic," she continued. She further added that the event was a "disgrace" and it disgusts her to the core. "Have some conviction for God's sakes," Welch exclaimed. 

Welch further alleged that the attendees chose to support the billionaire culture by providing them a platform to spread "fascism" and influence. "They have chosen, in this moment, to be the billionaires that want to be the face of fascism, and I say, 'We hear you, we see you, and we will make sure we platform you for the fascists that you are,'" Welch said. "Shame on everybody at the Meta Gala that just goes along with that." 

Apart from widespread criticism, the event sparked widespread protests on Monday, with activists holding up giant letters spelling out "TAX THE RICH" and placards highlighting what they called the "Resistance Red Carpet." Boycott messages appeared across subways and building facades, including Bezos' Madison Square penthouse; a video featuring a 72-year-old Amazon worker was projected with the messages "If you can buy the Met Gala, you can pay more tax" and "No red carpet for Trump’s billionaires."

A counter-event was also organized by the protestors called the "Ball Without Billionaires" with former employees of Amazon, The Washington Post, Starbucks, and other companies who recently executed mass layoffs, who walked the mock red carpet. They were dressed by emerging, immigrant, and BIPOC designers, according to the New York Times.