Walmart Faces MAGA Boycott Following Walton Heiress’s Funding of ‘No Kings’ Ad

When Walmart shoppers opened The New York Times last weekend, they probably expected sale flyers, not a 650-word political broadside. Yet there it was: a full-page “No Kings Day” advertisement signed by Christy Walton, billionaire widow of founder Sam Walton’s son, John. The copy urged Americans to show up on June 14 town-hall events, honor U.S. alliances, and “defend against dictators.” Conservative readers interpreted the timing—Flag Day, Donald Trump’s birthday, and the date of a planned military parade on the National Mall—as a veiled swipe at Trump. Within hours, #BoycottWalmart trended on X, powered by MAGA influencers calling the retailer “anti-Trump.”

The Ad That Ignited #BoycottWalmart

According to Newsweek, Walton’s message never mentioned Trump by name, but its language—“The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale”—struck critics as a rebuttal to the America First doctrine. Kari Lake, Roger Stone, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna quickly circulated screenshots and asked followers, “Do you still shop at Walmart?”

The backlash echoes 2024’s “economic blackout” campaign, which briefly targeted the chain alongside Amazon and General Mills.

Walmart Moves to Contain Brand Risk

The corporate office responded with a statement emphasizing that Christy Walton “does not serve on the board or play any role in decision-making at Walmart.” That single sentence aims to defuse two threats: consumer confusion over corporate endorsement and shareholder anxiety about partisan blowback. The clarification is also factually accurate. Walton owns approximately 1.9 percent of the outstanding shares, but the Walton Family Holdings Trust holds governance, and CEO Doug McMillon leads management.

Why MAGA Supporters Are Leaning Into a Boycott

MAGAs are big mad and calling for a Walmart boycott Read More