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The Schmooze

Jared And Ivanka Avoid Harassment By Exercising In The Dark

Democracy dies in darkness…the darkness of an indoor cycling studio.

The Washington Post reports that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump like to start their mornings with an early stationary biking class at the Flywheel Studio in Dupont Circle, near their home. The classes, which ring in at $30 for single sessions or over $250 for an unlimited month, represent one facet of the upscale health and wellness craze that attempt to make exercise a communal, spiritual, and above all, rarified activity.

Ivanka Trump never appears publicly without professionally blown-out hair, trend-forward makeup, and designer clothing. Jared Kushner exclusively wears impeccable tailored suits with on-trend accessories. Clearly, they both care about appearances and quality. So why would they choose the second-rate Flywheel over America’s most luxe and well-branded national chain of biking studios, SoulCycle?

Post reporters Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey suggest that the couple chooses Flywheel because classes at that studio take place mostly in darkened rooms — free from the icy treatment and occasional harassment high-profile members of the Trump administration have experienced lately. There, Trump and Kushner can cycle in place without feeling watched. SoulCycle, which also dims the lights during class, tends to use more outrageous flashing light affects.

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump want to be looked at, of course — but only in a certain light.

Jenny Singer is the deputy lifestyle editor for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny

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