Colombian Senator Wears White Elephant Suit

Luis Carlos Rúa arrived at the 2026 TIME 100 Next gala in Manhattan wearing a full white elephant costume. The newly elected Colombian senator used the outfit as a direct political statement rather than a fashion choice. The event took place on Oct. 29.

Rúa has spent the past five years creating anonymous videos on Instagram and TikTok under the name Elefante blanco. He used the persona to expose wasteful infrastructure projects in his country. He revealed his true identity to the public just three days before the Senate vote earlier this year.

The senator pointed to a specific crisis in Colombia: the slow response to a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck in August. The disaster killed more than 200 people and injured 4,000 others. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that over 45,000 homes sustained damage, 9,000 were destroyed, and 140 buildings collapsed.

Rúa told reporters on the red carpet that the reconstruction effort had not properly started. He addressed President Abelardo de la Espriella directly. De la Espriella, a conservative backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, won the presidential runoff in June. “I want to call the attention of the world, and to raise my voice, to say that the reconstruction of my country still doesn't begin,” Rúa said. He urged the president to initiate the rebuilding process immediately.

The senator argued that many citizens have lost their homes, jobs, and family members. He stated that starting reconstruction is the specific duty of the current administration. “We need the reconstruction to begin, President. It's your work. You have to do that,” he said.

Rúa encouraged viewers to use social media to pressure their own governments. He suggested that people create videos demanding action from their leaders. “Go to the internet and you can explore the situation my country is facing in this moment, and make a video saying to the President: ‘We need the reconstruction to begin,’” he said.

The gala was presented by Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target.