Politics in 2026 is a contact sport. You can't even grab a $15 gym membership without wondering if your monthly dues are funding a political rally or a specific candidate’s legal fees. Honestly, it’s exhausting. If you’ve spent any time on X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok lately, you’ve likely seen the firestorm surrounding the "Judgement Free Zone." Specifically, everyone is asking: does Planet Fitness support Trump?
The short answer is: it’s complicated, but mostly no—at least not in the way the internet rumors suggest.
The Real Money Trail
Let's talk about the actual cash. Publicly traded companies like Planet Fitness Inc. (PLNT) are under a microscope. If they were cutting million-dollar checks to the Trump campaign, it would be in the FEC filings for everyone to see.
According to Federal Election Commission data, Planet Fitness as a corporate entity does not make direct contributions to presidential candidates. That’s actually pretty standard for big gym chains. Most of them try to stay in the "neutral" lane because their customer base is literally everyone. You’ve got MAGA hat wearers and blue-haired activists lifting weights in the same room. Alienating half your customers is generally a bad business move.
Now, do individual franchise owners or board members support Trump? Almost certainly. With over 2,500 locations, you’re going to have owners across the entire political spectrum. But that’s a far cry from the brand itself taking a stand.
The 2024 Locker Room Firestorm
If the company isn't writing checks, why is there so much noise? Most of the "Planet Fitness supports Trump" (or rather, "Trump supporters hate Planet Fitness") talk stems from a massive controversy in early 2024.
It started in Fairbanks, Alaska. A woman named Patricia Silva posted a photo of a transgender woman shaving in the female locker room. Planet Fitness revoked Silva's membership—not because of her views, they claimed, but because she violated the "no photos in the locker room" policy.
The backlash was swift. Conservative influencers and the "Libs of TikTok" account went nuclear. Donald Trump himself has often campaigned on "protecting women’s sports" and private spaces, which naturally pulled his base into the boycott. For a few weeks, the brand was public enemy number one for many Republicans.
"Planet Fitness was like another child for me... it’s been pretty much destroyed," said Mike Grondahl, the company’s founder, in a 2024 interview.
Grondahl, who hasn't run the company since 2012, was vocal about his distaste for the current "woke" policies. His comments added fuel to the fire, making people think the company was in a civil war between its old-school roots and new-school management.
Trump’s Tariffs and the Gym’s Bottom Line
Interestingly, by May 2025, the conversation shifted from culture wars to economics. During an earnings call, Planet Fitness executives actually discussed developing "mitigation plans" specifically to handle potential tariffs from the Trump administration.
When Trump talks about heavy tariffs on Chinese goods, companies like Planet Fitness get nervous. Why? Because almost all that purple and yellow gym equipment is manufactured overseas. If a 60% tariff hits, the cost of opening a new gym skyrockets.
So, does Planet Fitness support Trump? If you ask their CFO, they’re probably more worried about his trade policy than his locker room opinions. They are a business, and businesses generally support whoever makes it cheaper to operate.
Why the Confusion Persists
There's often a mix-up between Planet Fitness and other fitness giants. Remember the SoulCycle and Equinox drama? That was a different beast. Their chairman, Stephen Ross, actually hosted a massive fundraiser for Trump. That led to real boycotts from the left.
Because Planet Fitness has been targeted by right-wing boycotts over their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and gender identity policies, many people mistakenly assume the opposite—that they must be a "liberal" company.
In reality, Planet Fitness is trying to be the "Walmart of Gyms." They want to be as boring and non-partisan as possible. They want your $15 a month (yeah, they finally raised the price from $10 in 2024) and they want you to leave them out of the culture war.
Navigating the "Judgement Free" Politics
If you’re trying to decide where to sweat based on your political leanings, here’s the breakdown of what we actually know:
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- Corporate Policy: They lean heavily into "inclusive" policies, which often aligns them with more liberal social values. This is why they’ve faced bomb threats and boycotts from conservative groups.
- Executive Leadership: Current CEO Colleen Keating and the board have stayed strictly focused on growth and "brand perception" rather than political endorsements.
- Franchise Diversity: Your local Planet Fitness is likely owned by a regional group that could be headed by anyone. Corporate doesn't dictate their personal political spending.
Honestly, the idea of a "non-political" space is dying. But if you’re looking for a smoking gun that says Planet Fitness is a Trump-supporting entity, you won't find it in the data. You’ll find a company trying to survive a 2026 economy where every locker room policy is a potential headline on cable news.
What You Should Do Next
If you're a member or thinking about joining, don't rely on a 15-second TikTok clip for your political info.
- Check the FEC website: You can search "Planet Fitness" under the "Employer" tab to see where individual employees are sending their money. It’s public record.
- Read the Policy: If the locker room policy is a dealbreaker for you, read the "Non-Discrimination" section on their official website. It’s very clear about their stance on gender identity.
- Look at the Local Level: Since most locations are franchises, look up the ownership group of your specific gym. That’s where the real local influence lies.
At the end of the day, your choice of gym is about your health. But if you want your money to align with your vote, the best tool you have is the public disclosure of corporate spending. Just don't expect a simple "yes" or "no" in a world where every purple treadmill is part of a larger political map.
Actionable Insight: To verify the current political leanings of any corporation in 2026, use the OpenSecrets.org database. It aggregates PAC money, individual contributions, and lobbying expenditures, providing a much clearer picture than social media rumors ever will.