On Thursday, journalist James O’Keefe of OMG Media announced that he has received a permanent and nationwide ban from Equinox gyms.
This came after O’Keefe released a video on Wednesday confronting New York Judge Arthur Engoron at the Equinox gym in Great Neck, Long Island. O’Keefe had received allegations that the judge “creeps” on girls every time he goes there.
Engoron is the New York judge who handed down a $354 million fine the civil fraud case brought against Donald Trump by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“I’ve been banned from Equinox for Life. They were really excited to tell me that,” O’Keefe said on X. The journalist attached a video to the post that included a phone conversation he had with an Equinox gym employee.
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
“This is Equinox at Great Neck calling. I just want to let you know, going forward, you are officially house-canceled from ever joining any Equinox going forward in the future, okay?” the employee told O’Keefe.
O’Keefe, who is a member of the chain, responded, “Why is that?”
The employee didn’t provide the journalist with a direct answer and said: “Just because. You have been officially house canceled, so please do not inquire any Equinox going forward. You will not be allowed to rejoin at any time.”
Pressing further, O’Keefe asked: “You want to give me a reason?”
“Nope!” the employee responded. “There’s no reason to be given…I will help cancel your membership. You are to be canceled immediately.”
While the Equinox employee refused to tell the journalist the reason as to why he had been banned, the employee confirmed to O’Keefe that they had seen the video OMG Media published the day prior.
The video included a clip from a source alleging that Engoron was “creeping” on girls every time he went to the gym. O’Keefe walks into the gym and approached Judge Engoron.
James O'Keefe confronts New York Judge Arthur Engoron at his gym.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 28, 2024
“Huge fan,” he told the judge, who didn’t recognize him. “Thank you for what you did…Man that must have felt good.”
When asked about the criticism he’s faced, Engoron said, “I’m strong,” adding he’s received “lots of hate mail.”
In the clip submitted by an anonymous source, Engoron can be seen talking to a woman who appears to be in her twenties. By the end of the clip, the woman looks “visibly annoyed” by the judge, putting her hand up and gesturing him “back off.”
In an X Space hosted by O’Keefe, the source elaborated on Engoron’s behavior, revealing that the judge “makes it a point to go up to any young girl possible every single visit.”
“At first they might smile and say hello,” the source said of the women, but “by the end of the conversation they always get creeped out … You always see the change in their face, you always see that they’re visibly upset.”
The journalist did not confront Engoron about the allegations while inside the gym but put out a call-to-action at the end of the video clip encouraging women to come forward if they might have been creeped on by the judge.
In the phone call with the staff member, O’Keefe asked the employee if they had plans to address the allegations against Engoron.
“We have girls that have claimed that Judge Engron is creeping them out every day. Every visit,” said O’Keefe.
“Will the judge be house-canceled for his behavior towards women in your facility?” the journalist asked.
The employee responded, “That’s not up to your discretion to tell me what other people think. If they have those concerns…”
O’Keefe interjected and said: “Well, it’s on video. It’s got millions of views online. So, it’s going viral.”
“Okay,” the employee replied, adding “that conversation is done.”
