CVS Is Reportedly a Major Donor to Trump’s 2020 Campaign

If you canceled your Equinox membership over revelations one of its executives hosted a Trump fundraiser, you may want to reconsider your next CVS visit.

The hashtag #BoycottCVS began trending on Thursday following news the company plans to cut reimbursements for women who receive birth control through the mail, which led to swift condemnations from groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Oddly enough, that might not be the only reason for CVS customers to join the campaign. CVS Health Corp. is allegedly one of the largest donors to the president's reelection campaign. The report was originally published in the Wall Street Journal in February 2018, and the Federal Election Commission website shows they gave $35,000 to the Trump Victory PAC.

According to FEC.gov, CVS also gave to some Democratic groups as well, including the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

If the recent protests of Equinox gyms are any indication, the fallout for the chain could be significant. Dozens of people picketed outside the luxury fitness chain's West Hollywood location last Friday following reports that investor Stephen Ross, who also serves as chairman of parent organization The Related Companies, hosted a Trump reelection gala which brought in $12 million for the POTUS.

Equinox, which claims 135 locations across the U.S., long marketed itself as an LGBTQ+ friendly space for customers, launched a Pride Month campaign in 2019 spotlighting members of New York City's ballroom community.

With LGBTQ+ clients and other members threatening to cancel, Equinox has unsurprisingly distanced itself from Ross in recent days. In an open letter to customers, Equinox Executive Chairman Harvey Spevak clarified that Ross "does not run the company" and does not speak for its values. He said Equinox believes in a "culture based on equality, diversity, inclusivity, integrity, empathy and mutual respect."

"A community where everyone is welcome," Spevak added.

Today Equinox and the spin class chain SoulCycle, which shares the same parent company, announced they would be donating $1 million to the ballroom advocacy group House Lives Matter, as well as a handful of other organizations.

However, Equinox, Soul Cycle, and CVS aren't the only companies that have recently faced backlash for financial connections to the president's reelection bid. Others include Versace, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Marvel Entertainment. Marvel Chairman and former CEO Isaac Perlmutter is a longtime friend of the president's, reportedly donating almost $6 million to Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns.

Out reached out to CVS for comment but did not receive a reply before publication time. This story will be updated should a representative from the company respond. The company has, however, pledged to stop donating to a pro-Trump dark money group known as America First Policies after initially giving the PAC $500,000.

UPDATE: In response to this story, a representative for CVS claimed the company "has not made any contribution to the [Trump] campaign since 2017."

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