Walmart heiress’ ad promoting “No kings” protest sparks backlash against retailer

Walmart heiress Christy Walton’s recent advertisement in The New York Times has stirred up controversy and led to calls for a boycott of the retail giant. The ad, which promotes a nationwide anti-Trump protest called “No Kings Day,” has caused backlash against Walmart, despite the company’s efforts to distance itself from the ad.

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Walmart made it clear that the advertisement from Christy Walton is not connected to or endorsed by the company. Walton, who is a billionaire and does not serve on Walmart’s board, has stated that she paid for the ad herself and that it represents her own views.

The “No Kings Day” protest is scheduled to take place on June 14, the same day as a military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th Anniversary in Washington, D.C. Organizers of the protest chose this date to draw attention away from the military demonstration.

However, supporters of President Trump have taken issue with Walton’s involvement in funding the protest and have called for a boycott of Walmart. Social media users, including X user Shaughn_A, have used the hashtag #BoycottWalmart to express their displeasure with Walton’s actions.

Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, shared an image of the ad on X and questioned whether people should continue to shop at Walmart in light of Walton’s involvement. Republican Rep. Anna Pauling Luna of Florida also criticized the ad online, linking it directly to the retailer and suggesting that Walton’s actions are motivated by anger over China tariffs.

This is not the first time Walmart has found itself at odds with the Trump administration. The retailer previously clashed with President Trump over tariffs, with the president suggesting that Walmart should absorb the cost of tariffs rather than passing them on to consumers.

The controversy surrounding Christy Walton’s ad and the subsequent calls for a boycott of Walmart highlight the complex relationship between politics, business, and consumer behavior. As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Walmart will navigate this challenging situation and address the concerns of both its supporters and critics.