Kamala Harris finally walked the Met Gala red carpet — but not everyone was applauding.
The former Vice President made her surprise debut at the 2025 Met Gala, turning heads in a striking black-and-white Off-White gown by designer IB Kamara, complete with a cape sleeve, dramatic scarf detail, and turquoise earrings that peeked through her shoulder-length hair.
But while the look landed her a spot on Vogue’s Instagram, the public reaction was anything but glamorous.
The Look: Cruella Meets Capitol Hill?
Harris’ floor-length monochrome gown embodied this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”. The bold color-blocking and silky finish were meant to nod to the power of Black fashion expression — but not everyone was buying the symbolism.
On Instagram, some users were quick to mock the look. “She’s giving Cruella de Vil,” one user joked, referencing the dress’s villain-esque contrast. Others weren’t so subtle: “Kamala at the Met Gala is just more of the same — elitist pandering with zero substance.”
$75,000 Tickets and A-Lister Vibes
With individual tickets to the gala reportedly costing $75,000, Harris found herself rubbing shoulders with the likes of Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Lewis Hamilton, and Sabrina Carpenter — and drawing the ire of critics who say she’s forgotten her roots.
“She’s trying to look like she belongs, but it’s just not reading the room,” another X user posted. “The Democrats wonder why they lost — and then Kamala shows up at the Met Gala like this.”
Security Drama Before the Dress
The backlash wasn’t just about the dress.
Just days before the Met Gala, Harris was spotted flanked by a wall of taxpayer-funded police during a night out at one of New York City’s priciest bars with her husband, Doug Emhoff. While Secret Service protection is standard, critics erupted over the use of NYPD officers — especially amid rising concerns about crime and officer shortages.
NYC mayoral hopeful Curtis Sliwa didn’t hold back:
“Secret Service is fine. NYPD? No. NYPD needs to protect the people — we don’t have enough of them,” he told Daily Mail. “She’s going to a bar to enjoy herself and she’s got an army of security paid for by us, not her.”
What’s Next for Kamala?
As Harris re-enters the spotlight, speculation swirls about her next political move.
Since leaving the White House, she’s stayed relatively quiet — aside from occasional viral moments, like a recent San Francisco speech in which she weirdly referenced elephants, leaving viewers puzzled and critics pouncing.
With California Governor Gavin Newsom term-limited, insiders suggest she may eye a 2026 gubernatorial bid. But others think she’s still gunning for the presidency in 2028 — though she could face stiff competition from Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Cory Booker, and even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Political strategist David Richards told The U.S. Sun:
“It’s not guaranteed Kamala wins the nomination — even if she throws her name into the ring.”
