The owner of popular fitness clubs Equinox and SoulCycle is facing backlash after news emerged that he will be hosting a fundraiser for President Trump this weekend.
Billionaire Stephen Ross will be hosting the event at his Southampton home. Ticket prices are $100,000 for a photo opportunity with the president and lunch, with a quarter-of-a-million dollars getting a donor into the roundtable discussion, according to the Washington Post.
Following the announcement, a number of people have called for boycotts of his companies.
Ross also owns the Miami Dolphins. One of the team’s players, Kenny Stills, criticized Ross for the upcoming fundraiser, as well.
? You can’t have a non profit with this mission statement then open your doors to Trump. https://t.co/sNBWfEXvLn pic.twitter.com/nNkRf2wJep
— Kenny Stills (@KSTiLLS) August 7, 2019
Melanie Whelan, SoulCycle’s CEO, issued a statement following the backlash.
It reads in part, “SoulCycle in no way endorses the political fundraising event being held later this week. SoulCycle has nothing to do with the event and does not support it. Consistent with our policies, no company profits are used to fund politicians. We’re committed to all our riders and the communities we live in. Mr. Ross is a passive investor and is not involved in the management of SoulCycle.”
A note from our CEO pic.twitter.com/UwxBWR76B0
— SoulCycle (@soulcycle) August 7, 2019
Chrissy Teigen tweeted, “the gym is my personal hell but if you’re a member of Equinox perhaps it is time to say peace(out)-inox ayyyyy I’m still sick yes but fuck equinox.”
the gym is my personal hell but if you’re a member of Equinox perhaps it is time to say peace(out)-inox ayyyyy I’m still sick yes but fuck equinox https://t.co/SJBsBNXT8Q
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 7, 2019
The View‘s Sunny Hostin chimed in, “The Post article writes that Trump fundraising luncheon is at the home of NY real estate developer Stephen Ross & his wife, jewelry designer Kara Ross. Good catch by @shannoncoulter – Ross also owns Equinox and Soul Cycle. No Soul Cycle for me today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day.”
The Post article writes that Trump fundraising luncheon is at the home of NY real estate developer Stephen Ross & his wife, jewelry designer Kara Ross. Good catch by @shannoncoulter – Ross also owns Equinox and Soul Cycle. No Soul Cycle for me today. Or tomorrow. Or the next day https://t.co/B73j2VCZk0
— Sunny Hostin (@sunny) August 7, 2019
Filmmaker Michael Moore also claimed that he was canceling his SoulCycle subscription.
That’s it! Just cancelled my @SoulCycle membership! https://t.co/YvoG4pQv7w
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) August 7, 2019
