The manager of an Equinox gym in Manhattan kicked out a supporter of former President Donald Trump on Saturday for wearing a pro-Trump t-shirt, The New York Post reports. The gym-goer, named Jared, who requested his last name not be used, said he was working out at the pricey gym's Flatiron location when the general manager approached him and asked him to cover the shirt or leave. Jared told The Post, "She told me Equinox is a 'safe space' and that my shirt was offensive."
The shirt showed the former president's August mugshot with the words "Never Surrender" printed underneath.
A video of the incident posted on X shows Jared discussing the matter with manager Queen Ogunyinka. In the video, Jared can be heard asking for the gym's policy in writing, and Ogunyinka tells him she will email him an explanation later when she has time.
In the video, Jared says to another member, "They're kicking me out, can you believe that? They're kicking me out because I'm wearing Trump."
Ogunyinka notes she gave him her business card with her contact info, and says, "I'm just asking him to cover it up just like anybody coming in here with a Kamala Harris shirt."
Jared told The Post, "Only three days from the election I was kicked out for wearing the candidate on my shirt. American democracy is about free speech and debate. Time and time again, the left does everything in their power to silence ideas. I refuse to be bullied."
A spokesperson for Equinox, where membership costs between $275 and $405 a month, told The Post, "An Equinox associate mistakenly asked a member to cover up an article of clothing. The shirt did not violate our dress code, and we have apologized to the member directly."
Jared confirmed that the gym apologized, but said he's considering canceling his membership anyway.
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
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