Will Local Businesses Be Hit Due to Ross’s Trump Fundraiser?


Billionaire Stephen Ross is holding an upcoming fundraiser in South Hampton, N.Y., for President Donald Trump. The seemingly typical event has raised eyebrows — celebrities’ included — because of Ross’s involvement with luxury gym chain Equinox, trendy cycling club SoulCycle and the fast casual &pizza.

Singer John Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen tweeted: “Everyone who cancels their Equinox and SoulCycle memberships, meet me at the library. Bring weights.”

Actor Billy Eichner, who most recently was the voice of Timon in “The Lion King” remake, took to Twitter as well, saying, “Hey Equinox, what’s your policy for canceling memberships once a member finds out your owner is enabling racism and mass murder?”

Ross’s fundraiser was organized to support Trump’s reelection campaign and comes with a hefty quarter-of-a-million price tag to get in.

Equinox and SoulCycle released a statement on Aug. 7 that read: “Neither Equinox nor SoulCycle have anything to do with the event later this week and do not support it. As is consistent with our policies, no company profits are used to fund politicians. We are committed to all our members and the communities we live in. We believe in tolerance and equality, and will always stay true to those values. Mr. Ross is a passive investor and is not involved in the management of either business.”

Only time will tell if Ross’s businesses will be hit. In addition to four Equinox and five SoulCycle locations in and around Washington, D.C., the company also has multiple &pizzas in the area. Other local businesses under Ross include Momofuku and Milk Bar (which both have locations in D.C.).

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