Jeffrey Epstein Ties Spark Hyatt Hotel Boycott Calls

In the wake of newly unsealed court documents linking Tom Pritzker, executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a wave of outrage has sparked calls for a boycott of the hotel chain on social media platforms.

Pritzker, a billionaire and cousin to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, was named by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre as one of the men she was forced to have sexual encounters with, igniting public backlash.

Wednesday's unsealing of Giuffre's defamation lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell unearthed a list of high-profile figures entwined in Epstein's web, including Pritzker. Read the unsealed Epstein documents in full here.

Epstein, a financier who mingled with the elite and powerful, faced allegations of sex trafficking and abuse. His arrest in July 2019 and subsequent death a month later in a New York jail cell, officially ruled a suicide, sent shockwaves through the international community. The circumstances of his death have been the subject of speculation and controversy, casting a long shadow over the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.

Maxwell, 62, who played a central role in the scandal, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022 for her involvement in facilitating Epstein's criminal activities. She is serving her sentence at FCI Tallahassee in Florida, and will be eligible for release in July 2037.

While Pritzker is named in the documents, he has not faced any formal charges in connection with the Epstein case. The allegations have yet to elicit a public response from the Pritzker family, which has deep roots in American business and Chicago's political landscape.

Despite Pritzker's vehement denials, the revelation fueled calls for accountability and action against associated businesses, striking at the Hyatt Hotels brand.

"I never stay at Hyatt, but sure as heck won't now," one user said on X, formerly Twitter. "Guess we start a boycott of Hyatt," another wrote. "Boycott @Hyatt: This guy must be fired if he still is with Hyatt Hotels. Sick," another user said, referring to Pritzker.

A poll conducted on the platform posted by health care blogger Erin Elizabeth drew hundreds of votes, with the lion's share saying they will boycott the hotel brand.

The poll asked whether people would boycott Hyatt Hotels in light of the allegations against Pritzker. With more than 240 votes cast, an overwhelming majority of 86.5 percent voted in favor of boycotting, signaling a strong public consensus against Pritzker and, by extension, Hyatt Hotels.

Only 1.2 percent opposed the boycott, while 12.3 percent expressed shock, noting Giuffre's status as a minor at the time of the alleged incidents.

The poll, while not scientifically rigorous, provides a snapshot of public opinion. Drawing parallels with other high-profile boycotts against companies like Starbucks, it's evident that social media can amplify and spread a boycott movement rapidly.

The impact of such movements, as seen in the case of Starbucks and McDonald's regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, points to the potential repercussions for Hyatt Hotels. Although there hasn't been an immediate discernible economic impact on Hyatt (its stock is down less than 1 percent), the precedent set by other companies suggests a need for cautious navigation in handling public outcry.

Newsweek has reached out to Hyatt Hotels via email for comment.

The broader implications of Giuffre's legal actions against Maxwell continue to unravel, with more documents expected to be released. The revelations place renewed focus on the connections between Epstein's alleged criminal network and the powerful figures it reportedly entangled.