SMH: SoulCycle and Equinox Owner is wack and we have the receipts
If you ever thought the spin class phenomenon SoulCycle was wack — or seemed like a cult — this week provided more evidence than ever.
And if you thought that fancy gym Equinox was an LGBTQ ally, as they’ve branded themselves for years — news flash — they’re not.
They’re just another company profiting off “supporting” the LGBT community, while simultaneously funneling their money to a demagogue who incites hate and is actively stripping them of their rights.
The companies’ owner Stephen Ross is throwing a huge fundraiser for Trump on Friday in the Hamptons, with tickets starting at $100,000 for lunch and a photo op with the President. Also, for $250,000, attendees can also sit in on a roundtable discussion with Trump. (Which, first of all- that’s how you would choose to spend $250,000?)
Ross is also the owner of the Miami Dolphins as well as– and here’s the catch– a national nonprofit called RISE that “educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.”
A player on the Dolphins called out the blatant hypocrisy.
🤔 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
SoulCycle and Equinox were quick to distance themselves from Ross, appealing to their “family” and calling him a “passive investor” who is “not involved” in the management process. He’s the Chairman of Equinox Holdings.
They underlined that they did not endorse the event and that they remain committed to their goals of diversity, equality, and community.
A note from our CEO pic.twitter.com/UwxBWR76B0
— SoulCycle (@soulcycle) August 7, 2019
— Equinox (@Equinox) August 7, 2019
Not gonna cut it, guys. As long as Ross remains at the top of these companies, these messages are just empty words.
Also, people including the many celebrities who belong to Equinox or frequent SoulCycle’s $40+ classes called for a boycott.
everyone who cancels their equinox and soul cycle memberships, meet me at the library. bring weights
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 7, 2019
#GrabYourWallet founder Shannon Coulter, whose website lists companies that support Donald Trump or carry his brands, announced she would be adding the companies to her list. She’s a potential power player and as a result of the protest group’s past boycott, Ivanka Trump’s line was dropped from Nordstrom.
Inexplicably, Ross himself tried to diminish his ties to Trump. In a statement, he said:
“I always been an active participant in the democratic process. 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.”
For Ross, part of being an “active participant in the democratic process” means heavily donating to Republican candidates and committees over the years.
But let’s get this straight: you think Trump is racist, and you’re dedicated to fighting racism, but you’re still holding this event for him and contributing to his “Victory Fund?” That checks out.
