Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 hr ago
Protesters Urge Spielberg to Boycott MoMA Benefit Over Leon Black
About 20 protesters gathered outside New York’s MoMA before a benefit for its Debra and Leon Black Family Film Center.
They urged honoree Steven Spielberg to reject the recognition until the museum cuts ties with Leon Black and renames the center.
The center was created in 2019 after Black gave MoMA $40 million.
Black paid Jeffrey Epstein $158 million for financial advice from 2012 to 2017, after Epstein’s first conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.
Black has faced three sexual assault and misconduct accusations, which he denies; one lawsuit was discontinued and another dismissed, while a third was allowed to proceed after a judge imposed a sanction.
Black remains a MoMA board trustee, though he stepped down as board chairman in 2021, and the US House unanimously approved a resolution to hold him in contempt of Congress over subpoenas in an Epstein investigation.
The protest reflects calls for MoMA to end its ties with Black, while Spielberg’s representatives have not responded to the campaign group’s letter.
About 20 protesters gathered outside the Museum of Modern Art in New York on November 12, urging Steven Spielberg to reject an award at a benefit linked to Leon Black.
The activists called on MoMA to sever ties with Black and rename the Debra and Leon Black Family Film Center.
Their protest cited Black’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his support for pro-Israel organizations.
Black paid Epstein $158 million for financial advice from 2012 to 2017, after Epstein’s first conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.
Black denies three sexual assault and misconduct accusations mentioned in the article.
- Who
- About 20 protesters, including playwright and activist Gracie Gardner, called on Steven Spielberg to boycott the MoMA benefit.
- What
- The protesters urged Spielberg to reject recognition at the benefit and called on MoMA to sever ties with Leon Black and rename the film center.
- When
- November 12, 2026.
- Where
- Outside the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
- Why
- They objected to Black’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his support for pro-Israel organizations.
Protesters and UltraViolet
Leon Black
Sexual misconduct accusations
Protesters and UltraViolet
Protesters cited three sexual assault and misconduct accusations against Black.
Leon Black
Black denies the accusations.
MoMA created the Debra and Leon Black Family Film Center in recognition of a $40 million gift from Black.
Black stepped down as CEO of Apollo Global Management and as MoMA board chairman, but remained a museum trustee.
The US House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution to hold Black in contempt of Congress over his defiance of subpoenas in an Epstein investigation.
About 20 protesters gathered outside MoMA before its benefit for the film center.
- Protesters
- About 20
- Benefit honoree
- Steven Spielberg
- Film center gift
- $40 million
- Gift year
- 2019
- Payments to Epstein
- $158 million for financial advice from 2012 to 2017
What people are saying
Mr. Spielberg, you do NOT want your legacy connected to accused abuser and Epstein associate Leon Black.
Steven Spielberg has made his career making stories about the dignity of women and children
It's totally disgusting that he's accepting an award [at the film center named after Leon Black], who's currently in contempt of Congress for not producing NDAs and his involvement in the Epstein files.