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.
-
US foodies brace for tariff war
Under The Radar Shoppers stocking up on imported olive oil, maple syrup and European wine as price hikes loom
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
How Canadian tariffs could impact tourism to the US
In the Spotlight Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the United States. But they may soon stop visiting.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Entitlements: DOGE goes after Social Security
Feature Elon Musk is pushing false claims about Social Security fraud
By The Week US Published
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US 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