On August 6 news was let out that Stephen Ross, a real estate owner and investor (who also happens to own a majority of SoulCycle an Equinox Fitness) would be holding a fundraiser for President Trump’s campaign. Since then the news has spread like wildfire across the internet, with many celebs announcing that they were canceling their Equinox gym memberships and urged others to do the same.
Boycott the Gyms
On Tuesday, The Washington Post released an article which reported that Stephen Ross, chairman, and owner of Related Companies (the parent company for SoulCycle and Equinox) would be holding a high-dollar fundraiser in support of President Trump. The tickets to the event in the Hamptons were being sold as high as $250,000, and for those who paid over $100,000, there was a chance to eat dinner with Trump. [1]
Developer Stephen Ross, of The Related Companies, (which developed Hudson Yards and owns @Equinox and @soulcycle) is hosting a fundraiser for President Trump in The Hamptons. $250,000 for lunch, a photo and a private roundtable. https://t.co/unTnaKTMav
— Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) August 6, 2019
Hey @Equinox – what’s your policy for canceling memberships once a member finds out your owner is enabling racism and mass murder?
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 7, 2019
Trending Now
Unfortunately for Ross, the news sparked outrage as many gymgoers call for Equinox to put a stop to the fundraiser and celebs call for a boycott of the brand. Although both Equinox and Ross have both tried to distance themselves from the bad publicity #Equinox has become the second-most trending topic in the United States on Twitter, with “#BoycottEquinox” and “#BoycottSoulCycle” trending along with it.
— Equinox (@Equinox) August 7, 2019
“I always have been an active participant in the democratic process,” Ross said. “I have known Donald Trump for 40 years, and while we agree on some issues, we strongly disagree on many others, and I have never been bashful about expressing my opinions.” [2]
Notes:
- ^Lee, Michelle Ye Hee. “Trump scheduled to headline fundraisers in the Hamptons, where tickets run as high as $250,000.” Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-scheduled-to-headline-fundraisers-in-the-hamptons-where-tickets-run-as-high-as-250000/2019/08/06/47698530-b855-11e9-a091-6a96e67d9cce_story.html. (go back ↩)
- ^“Fitness Centers SoulCycle and Equinox Respond To Boycott Calls.” Federalist, 8 Aug. 2019, thefederalist.com/2019/08/08/fitness-centers-soulcycle-equinox-respond-boycott-calls-following-owners-support-trump. (go back ↩)
