In a controversial move, Equinox gyms have banned conservative journalist James O’Keefe from all their locations for life after he exposed the alleged behavior of anti-Trump judge Arthur Engoron.
The judge, who recently presided over a high-profile case involving former President Donald Trump, has been accused of “creeping” on young women at the gym.
The ban came after O’Keefe, known for his undercover investigations, released a video that showed Engoron allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior at an Equinox gym in Long Island.
The video, which quickly went viral, sparked outrage among many who felt that the judge’s actions were unacceptable.
I’ve been banned from @Equinox for Life. They were really excited to tell me that. pic.twitter.com/lTvUn30wMk
— James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) February 29, 2024
In response to the video, Equinox released a statement condemning O’Keefe’s actions and announcing the ban. An angry female representative of the gym chain delivered the news to O’Keefe this week, stating that the company does not tolerate phones usage in the gym.
The ban has been met with mixed reactions, with some applauding Equinox for taking a stand against O’Keefe’s tactics, while others have criticized the company for not addressing the allegations against Judge Engoron. Many conservative news outlets have come to O’Keefe’s defense, arguing that his work is crucial in exposing corruption and wrongdoing.
The controversy surrounding O’Keefe’s ban has once again brought the issue of privacy and journalistic ethics to the forefront of public discourse. It remains to be seen how this will impact O’Keefe’s future work and the ongoing debate over the limits of investigative journalism.
