Vulgar Met Gala, Jen Psaki's Cover-up Lies, and Trump vs. Harvard, with Stu Burguiere and Kevin Roberts | Ep. 1065
May 6, 2025
auto_awesome
Stu Burguiere, a political commentator and humorist, joins Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, in a lively discussion about recent headlines. They critique the extravagant Met Gala, calling out its themes of elitism and celebrity culture, particularly focusing on outrageous fashion choices. The conversation shifts to media biases, especially around Jen Psaki's perceived cover-ups and Trump's battles against elite universities' discrimination. They emphasize the worrying climate for Jewish students and the role of conservative strategies in reshaping educational institutions.
The recent Met Gala, with its theme of 'black dandyism,' showcased a confusing blend of cultural homage and elitism, diminishing its relevance in fashion.
Critics highlighted that outrageous celebrity attire at the Met Gala overshadowed artistic expression, raising questions about the event's decency standards.
Discussions around political correctness at the Met Gala revealed a trend where celebrity fashion choices appear more as performative activism than genuine style.
The exorbitant ticket prices of the Met Gala raised concerns about privilege and accessibility, emphasizing growing income inequality within the fashion industry.
Deep dives
Declining Prestige of the Met Gala
The Met Gala, once a pinnacle of high fashion and celebrity culture, has now been likened to a 'nerd prom' rather than the glamorous event it once was. The recent edition showcased a theme centered around 'black dandyism,' which many attendees found confusing and unrelatable. Critiques pointed out that the event appeared to prioritize pandering to certain demographics over celebrating true artistic expression. As a result, the Met Gala's once enviable status has diminished, prompting discussions about its future relevance in the fashion world.
Misinterpretation of Black Dandyism
The theme of 'black dandyism' was presented as an homage to a cultural intersection between African and European style traditions, yet its meaning remained elusive to many attendees and observers. Drawing from Monica Miller's work, the theme encompassed complex ideas about representation, which critics argue only served to confuse rather than clarify. Dandyism's connection to fashion was ultimately overshadowed by contradictions, causing some to ridicule the pretentiousness of the event's scholarly undertones. This confusion highlights a growing disconnect between fashion's traditional essence and contemporary interpretations rooted in ideological frameworks.
Outrageous Attire and Celebrity Critiques
Several celebrities made headlines not for their fashion statements but for their provocative choices that drew public ire. For instance, Halle Berry was criticized for her revealing dress, which some deemed as crossing a line of decency. Meanwhile, Vera Wang and Pamela Anderson faced scrutiny for their unflattering outfit choices, leading to questions about the standards of presentation among high-profile attendees. The overall spectacle raised eyebrows and proved that outrageous fashion choices can overshadow the intended artistic expressions of the event.
Pandering to Political Correctness
Discussions about the event also touched upon the perceived pandering to political correctness, especially in relation to themes of race and identity. Critics claimed that many celebrity appearances felt less like genuine expressions of style and more like token gestures toward current social movements. This sentiment was amplified by the display of extravagant outfits that seemed more performative than artistic, suggesting that celebrity culture is increasingly intertwined with activist agendas. Such pandering not only detracted from the event's fashion focus but also indicated a shift in societal values within cultural institutions.
Economic Disparities and Access to the Gala
The Met Gala's exorbitant ticket prices, reportedly up to $75,000 per plate, sparked conversations about privilege and accessibility in elitist fashion events. The notion that only certain social classes could participate raised eyebrows, especially when juxtaposed with the event's discussions on social issues. Critics highlighted the irony of wealthy figures advocating for equality while contributing to unprecedented income inequality within the fashion industry. This ecosystem brought forth questions about who truly benefits from such high-profile gatherings and raised doubts about their relevance to broader societal conversations.
The Influence of Celebrity Culture on Social Issues
The Met Gala was painted as a microcosm of larger societal trends where celebrity culture intersects with political discourse. Attendees’ fashion choices often reflected broader social agendas, with some garments allegedly incorporating commentary on pressing issues such as civil rights. The way celebrities leveraged their visibility for activism sparked debate on authenticity versus performance in modern advocacy. Observers noted that while the intention behind these messages may be commendable, their execution raised concerns about the effectiveness of such celebrity-driven narratives.
Criticism of Mainstream Media's Handling of Events
The media's portrayal of the Met Gala and its participants was subject to scrutiny, particularly in how it sensationalized certain aspects while downplaying others. Some commentators expressed dissatisfaction with how journalists framed the event, accusing them of favoring narratives that aligned with specific political agendas. This critique extended to the broader cultural conversation, suggesting that media coverage often distorts reality to fit prevailing narratives. Ultimately, this dynamic highlights the complex relationship between celebrity, fashion, and journalistic integrity in the coverage of high-profile events.
Megyn Kelly opens the show by declaring The Met Gala is dead, the absurd and elitist "black dandyism” theme, the obscene vulgarity from celebrities, and more. Then Stu Burguiere, host of BlazeTV's "Stu Does America," join to discuss the nudity at the Met Gala from Halle Berry, the Kardashians back again, Anna Wintour trying to save face by prioritizing black “culture” now, the New Yorker's latest photo spread of leftist elites in their NYC living rooms, strange looks for AOC and Ella Emhoff and Al Sharpton, Alex Soros and Huma Abedin’s frigid and bizarre photo, how Jen Psaki is offended by the term “cover-up” but was clearly a participant in the Biden cognitive decline cover-up, how the leftist media worked overtime to keep it hidden until after the debate, how 60 Minutes was once a gold standard of investigative reporting but is now burning its credibility with partisan hit pieces against Trump, their recent piece using Marc Elias as a trusted source, and more. Then Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, joins to discuss how Trump is fighting against elite universities and their illegal discrimination, how they’re silencing Jewish students from even sharing their religion over fear of being called out in class, the way the schools are trying to fight back, and more.