in september 2021, ocasio-cortez went to the 2021 met gala. ocasio-cortez wore a long white dress with the phrase "tax the rich" painted in red on the back of her dress. as an elected official in new york city, she was a guest of the museum and she did not have to buy a ticket, which costs at least $35,000. many people, both conservative and liberal, criticized ocasio-cortez for attending an event where guests were not required to wear masks.