SoulCycle and Equinox patrons threaten to flee if owner hosts Trump fundraiser. The Daily Show has ideas.
"Historically, rich people have hosted fundraisers in America for political candidates ... and it didn't garner much attention, but in the age of Trump, all of that has changed — as one billionaire just found out," Trevor Noah said on Thursday's Daily Show. That billionaire, Stephen Ross, is hosting one of two high-dollar fundraisers for President Trump in the Hamptons on Friday, collectively expected to raise $10 million for Trump's campaign and the Republican National Committee. Ross owns the parent company of SoulCycle and Equinox, and the generally liberal clientele of those two luxury fitness brands is generally not happy.
"There are growing calls for people to boycott Equinox and Soul Cycle — and to all those people canceling their memberships I say: good luck," Noah said. "Have you ever tried to get out of a gym membership? It is impossible." Ross "released a statement defending himself, but I'll be honest, I think it only made things worse," he added. "Basically, what he's saying is that he supports the business side of Donald Trump but he doesn't support the racism side of Donald Trump. But you realize if you actually listen, you analyze what he's saying, what he's actually saying without realizing it is that he can afford to support Trump's business side because Trump's racism side doesn't affect him."
Liberal Equinox and SoulCycle patrons "are torn, but many people say if this happens, they're out," Noah said. "And you know what? I'm joining them. In fact, I haven't gone to the gym in the last three months, in preparation for this moment." This imbroglio doesn't answer "the unending question: Should you support a business if some people in that business back a politician you don't like?" he added. But for those fleeing the brands, Jaboukie Young-White had some more "woke" alternatives. Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
5 hilariously spirited cartoons about the spirit of Christmas
Cartoons Artists take on excuses, pardons, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 22, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rupert Murdoch loses 'Succession' court battle
Speed Read Murdoch wanted to give full control of his empire to son Lachlan, ensuring Fox News' right-wing editorial slant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bitcoin surges above $100k in post-election rally
Speed Read Investors are betting that the incoming Trump administration will embrace crypto
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Enron mystery: 'sick joke' or serious revival?
Speed Read 23 years after its bankruptcy filing, the Texas energy firm has announced its resurrection
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published