Tysons Gym Facing Backlash Over Owner’s Trump Connection

SoulCycle and Equinox are facing a backlash and boycotts, including in Tysons, after news broke that the company’s billionaire owner is hosting a fundraiser for President Donald Trump.

Stephen Ross, the owner of the parent company for the two fitness studios, plans to host a fundraiser for Trump on Friday and “will reportedly charge attendees up to $100,000 for a photo with the president,” ABC7 reported Wednesday (Aug. 7).

Many of the 150 comments under Equinox’s Aug. 6 Facebook post for the Tysons spot expressed disappointment and anger about the support for Trump.

People wrote that they plan to boycott Equinox by canceling their memberships and working out at other fitness places, like FlyWheel.

“I have been considering an Equinox membership for a while now, but not anymore given what I’ve learned about where my money would be going,” one person wrote.

Another commented, “Quit supporting Trump! Boycott until then.”

“Why is Stephan Ross hosting a fund raiser for trump??? I do NOT>>NOT>>NOT want a portion of my dues going to fund trump! Damn I just joined your Burbank Blink Gym..with this news I will have to look for a new gym,” another person wrote.

Comedian Billy Eichner and model Chrissy Teigen took to Twitter to push for boycotting Equinox.

everyone who cancels their equinox and soul cycle memberships, meet me at the library. bring weights

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 7, 2019

Just contacted @Equinox to cancel my membership after many years. Money talks, especially with these monsters. If it’s too inconvenient for u to trade one LUXURY GYM for another, then you should be ashamed. (No disrespect to the many wonderful employees at my local Equinox). Bye!

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 7, 2019

Equinox’s Tysons spot is at 8065 Leesburg Pike. SoulCycle’s only Virginia location is in Arlington.

Both Equinox and SoulCycle responded to the criticism on social media by saying that neither one endorses the political fundraising, adding that Ross is a “passive investor” who does not manage their business.

“SoulCycle has nothing to do with the event and does not support it,” SoulCycle tweeted

Equinox tweeted that “no company profits are used to fund politicians.”

A note from our CEO pic.twitter.com/UwxBWR76B0

— SoulCycle (@soulcycle) August 7, 2019

pic.twitter.com/TDYcT0kG4L

— Equinox (@Equinox) August 7, 2019

Ross has defended the fundraiser.

“I always have been an active participant in the democratic process,” Ross said to a Bloomberg reporter. “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.”

Photo via Equinox Tysons Corner/Facebook