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Met Gala 2022: Eric Adams wears 'End Gun Violence' tux, critics ask him to focus on crime in NYC

Adams’ move to make a political statement on the red carpet follows Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who wore a gown last year that read “TAX THE RICH”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) was wearing a tuxedo on which 'End gun violence' was written along with a drawing of a handgun encircled in a 'no' symbol on the red carpet at Met Gala 2022. The tuxedo jacket featured iconic features of New York, such as the Brooklyn Bridge. The 61-year-old mayor arrived on the red carpet, alongside his girlfriend, Tracey Collins, at this year's fashion soiree held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Adorned with custom art from Laolu, a Nigerian artist who is based in New York City, the mayor’s outfit made a plea to “End Gun Violence.” The suit was already hanging in his closet and Laolu turned it into his canvas, drawing the phrase with a pistol in a red circle with a prohibitive slash across it. "The goal is to end gun violence and save our children," Adams said as he pointed out the various subway lines visible on the jacket: "Here's my Q train, my 3 train, my N train, my A train."

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Adams’ move to make a political statement on the red carpet follows Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who wore a gown last year that read “TAX THE RICH.” 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.

Adams, who is in his first term as mayor campaigned on the mandate of public safety and has been under pressure to curb violence in the city. Yet, in the first three months of this year, there have been 291 shootings in the city, up from 252 over the same period last year, according to NYPD statistics. In March alone, the city reported 115 shooting incidents – more than a 16% increase from March 2021. “Bringing a little swagger back to the #MetGala,” Adams tweeted with several photos. “Honored to be here.”

Many users online were not impressed by the message delivered by Eric Adams' jacket. One user wrote, "what tangible actions are you following to end gun violence AND police violence?? maybe get on that instead of promoting a multi million dollar event for the top 1%." Another commented "How about bringing a little law and order to the streets.." “Narcissists On Parade”. I cannot think of a more pointless waste of time, money, and resources, at a time when NYC needs so many things, none of which is a fashion show, commented another. A fourth user wrote "omg this guy dont stop . city on fire n he just chilling like is paradise #clown".