Summary:
Christy Walton, heiress to the Walmart fortune, is facing backlash from Trump supporters after placing a full-page ad in The New York Times promoting “No Kings Day” protests against former President Donald Trump. The ad features patriotic declarations and criticizes authoritarianism, aligning with events scheduled on Trump’s birthday and a military parade marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
The protests are linked to the left-leaning group Indivisible. Trump allies, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Kari Lake, criticized Walton and suggested the protests were tied to Walmart’s opposition to Trump’s China tariffs. Trump himself responded by accusing Walmart of using tariffs as an excuse to raise prices, saying they should “eat the tariffs.”
Walton, worth $17.8 billion, has a history of supporting Democratic causes and previously placed similar ads in the paper. Both ads noted that the views expressed were solely hers.
Christy Walton, an heiress to the Walmart fortune, is facing blowback from MAGA-inspired Republicans over a full-page ad in The New York Times promoting the “No Kings Day” protests against President Trump.
The paid political ad features an image of the Statue of Liberty alongside a series of public declarations, including:
- “WE honor our commitments and stand by our allies”
- “WE defend against aggression by dictators”
- “WE respect our neighbors and trading partners”
“We are the people of the United States of America,” the ad reads. “The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale.”
Protests Coincide with Trump’s Birthday and Parade
The “No Kings Day” gatherings are slated for Saturday. They coincide with Mr. Trump’s birthday, as well as his planned military parade along the National Mall to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
MAGA Republicans Fire Back
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Republican, posted the ad on social media, noting the nationwide counterprotests also fall on Mr. Trump’s 79th birthday and are “organized by far-left group Indivisible.”
“Looks like the Walmart dynasty is big mad about China Tariffs,” she wrote in the post.
Kari Lake, special adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, asked her followers on X, “Do you shop at Walmart?”
Trump Blasts Walmart Over Tariffs
Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, which imports about 40% of its merchandise, has been among the companies that have warned that the Trump tariffs will lead to higher costs for consumers.
Mr. Trump responded last month by chastising the retail giant, saying Walmart made billions of dollars last year and “should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain.”
“Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘Eat the Tariffs,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING,” he posted on Truth Social. “I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”
Walton’s Political Donations Under Scrutiny
Ms. Walton married into the Walmart dynasty and has a net worth of $17.8 billion, according to Fortune. Her husband, John Walton, a son of Walmart founder Sam Walton, died in an ultralight plane crash in 2005.
Ms. Walton has a history of donating to Democratic candidates and causes and has cut sizable checks for the anti-Trump Lincoln Project.
She placed a similar ad earlier this year in The Times. It also features an image of the Statue of Liberty alongside the same declarations, urging readers to attend congressional town halls.
“USA, USA, USA,” the ad read.
Both of the ads she placed in The Times said, “The views represented here are solely those of Christy Walton.”
