This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Published on August 8, 2019, a report by The Daily Beast revealed that Stephen Ross, the billionaire owner of Equinox and SoulCycle fitness clubs, is planning a fundraiser for President Donald Trump this weekend in the Hamptons.
The priciest tickets for the fundraiser are going for $250,000, which includes a private table and photo with Trump, with the proceeds going towards Trump's re-election campaign. Ross and Trump have been friends for years, as seen in a photo from the 25th Great Sports Legends Dinner in 2010.
Ross' holdings include the Miami Dolphins, the Hard Rock Stadium, and the Time Warner Center. He is also chairman of Related Companies, which is behind the $25 billion Hudson Yards project in New York City. Ross also owns Equinox Fitness Clubs, which includes other brands like PURE Yoga, SoulCycle, and Blink Fitness.
There has been significant backlash to Ross' Trump fundraiser online, with some Equinox and SoulCycle members saying they will cancel their memberships and boycott the gyms. Celebrities including Billy Eichner, Chrissy Teigen, and George Takei have also expressed their displeasure at Ross' fundraising efforts for Trump.
Equinox and SoulCycle released a joint statement distancing themselves from Ross, stating that neither brand has anything to do with the event and do not support it. The statement also clarified that no company profits are used to fund politicians.
