Stephen Ross
Trump-aligned GOP mega-donor; pro-business framing.
Who they are.
Founder and chairman of Related Companies, the New York-based real-estate developer behind Hudson Yards. Owner of the Miami Dolphins. Long-running major Republican donor with particular prominence as a Trump-2020 fundraiser. Drew significant attention in 2019 when he hosted a Hamptons Trump fundraiser that triggered boycotts of his Equinox and SoulCycle gym brands.
The chain.
- America First ActionMajor 2020 donor
- MAGA Inc.2024 donor
- Congressional Leadership FundMajor donor
- Donald Trump (R, President)Hosted high-profile 2019 Hamptons fundraiser (~$12M); continued giving 2020 + 20242019-2024 · Won 2024 general election
- House Republican incumbents (broad)Multi-million to Congressional Leadership Fund across cycles2018-2024 · Mixed
The targets.
On the record.
“I have always personally supported initiatives focused on Republican and Democratic candidates… I started supporting Trump's campaign for President in 2016, as I believed strongly in his policies on the economy.”
Sources.
Questions about Stephen Ross.
Who is Stephen Ross?
Ross founded Related Companies in 1972 and built it into one of the largest US real-estate-development firms, with signature projects including New York's Hudson Yards. He also owns the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise, which he purchased in 2008. His wealth derives primarily from Related and from his real-estate portfolio.
What was the 2019 Equinox boycott?
In August 2019 Ross hosted a Trump fundraiser at his Hamptons home reportedly raising over $12 million. Because Ross owned Equinox and SoulCycle through Related Companies' Equinox Holdings, the fundraiser triggered widespread customer boycotts of both gym chains and a one-week press cycle on corporate-political-donor relationships.
Is Ross focused on Israel policy?
Ross's giving is not primarily framed around foreign policy. The dominant variables in his political giving are Trump alignment, real-estate / development interests, and broadly pro-business GOP positioning. He is a documented donor to several Israel-aligned philanthropic organizations but is not a top-tier donor to AIPAC PAC or RJC infrastructure.