Celebrities urge boycott of SoulCycle and Equinox over owner’s fundraising for Donald Trump

The fitness company SoulCycle is facing a potential boycott from some customers after it emerged a leading investor was hosting a fundraising event for Donald Trump.

Stephen Ross, a billionaire, is the chairman of the company which owns SoulCycle and Equinox gyms.

He is hosting a fundraiser for the US president at his New York home, with tickets costing up to $250,000.

Mr Trump is expected to attend the event, and donors will be able to have a photograph taken with him for $100,000.

Celebrities including the model Chrissy Teigen, and comedian Billy Eichner, called for a boycott of SoulCycle and Equinox.

They have both previously expressed vocal opposition to Mr Trump’s policies, including on immigration.

Ms Teigen said the issue boiled down to "fundamental differences in compassion, empathy and humanity".

Mr Eichner said he had canceled his membership because "money talks".

The hashtag "BoycottEquinox" began trending on Twitter.

In a statement Equinox described Mr Ross, who also owns the Miami Dolphins American football team, as a "passive investor".

It said: "We believe in tolerance and equality, and will always stay true to those values."

Melanie Whelan, chief executive of SoulCycle, which provides indoor cycling workout classes, said the company "in no way endorses the political fundraising event".

Mr Ross said: "I have 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.”

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