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Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Walmart facing furious boycott as billionaire heiress promotes anti-Trump protests amid LA Riots
Walmart is facing a furious boycott by the MAGA world after its billionaire heiress endorsed and promoted an anti-Trump rally amid the raging protests happening in Los Angeles. Republicans have erupted online after the group 'No Kings' took to social media several times calling President Donald Trump 's response to the protests 'a distraction' because 'he wants to blind us to the chaos and damage he's inflicting nationwide.' The organization is notably backed by Christy Walton, the widow of John T. Walton, who was one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. Although Walton, who is worth $19.4 billion, has not publicly spoken out about the protests or Trump, she placed a full-page ad in the New York Times Sunday calling on Americans to stand up 'against aggression by dictators' and 'mobilize' this upcoming Saturday - the same day the president is set to host a military parade in Washington D.C. The advertisement, which states it was 'paid for by Christy Walton,' went on to list eight beliefs she supports, including that Americans should 'stand by our allies,' 'uphold and defend the Constitution' and 'care for our veterans and children,' among others. 'We are the people of the United States of America. The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale. Our government is of the people, by the people, for the people,' the ad, accompanied by an image of the Statue of Liberty, read. Around the time her advertisement hit the paper, disastrous riots broke out in LA, leading Trump to call on the National Guard and US Marines to take over the growing chaos - sparking an all out fight across the county. In the midst of the media coverage on the protests, 'No Kings' made several posts on X mentioning the violence and how it disagrees with the president's response. Around the time her advertisement hit the paper, disastrous riots broke out in LA, leading Trump to call on the National Guard and US Marines to take over the growing chaos - sparking an all out fight across the county One post read: 'THIS IS A DISTRACTION! Trump deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to LA to crush protests is a smokescreen. He wants to blind us to the chaos and damage he's inflicting nationwide. Don't fall for it – he's hiding much worse!' Another showed an illustrated image of Trump appearing to look down on a scene of protesters while holding an 'economic report' and what appeared to be pictures of him and Jeffery Epstein. Walton's ad has visibly left many enraged and offended, leaving Republicans to call for a boycott of the popular retailer. 'Christy Walton from the family who own Walmart is Funding the day of defiance against Donald Trump. Enough is enough do not spend any money at Walmart or you are funding the things that are happening against our federal agents. Walmart is the one or most likely provided the gas masks during the riots,' one user wrote on X. Another wrote: 'Time to boycott Walmart!' 'Boycott Walmart sounds good to me specially how Christy China Walton is hates America and supports burning the United States Flag and likes people harassing ICE and federal employees,' wrote someone else. There are expected to be more than 1,800 events linked to the organization across the country Saturday, a No Kings spokesperson Andrew Cook told Forbes. 'On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,' the group's website states. 'We're not gathering to feed his ego. We're building a movement that leaves him behind. 'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We're not watching history happen. We're making it. 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,' it added. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers - one of the organization backing 'No Kings' to organize the anti-Trump protests - told the outlet: 'People from all walks of life support No Kings because our country was founded on the idea that presidents answer to the people – not to authoritarian overreach or violence.' In regard to Walton's ad, a source told Forbes it ran 'nationwide' and is a 'personal message' from her to urge people 'to engage peacefully and civically in next weekend's events on June 14.' 'Her message promotes peaceful dialogue and the sharing of diverse views and voices,' the source, who asked to remain anonymous, said. 'She condemns violence in all forms and continues to emphasize the importance of listening to one another.' This is not the first ad Walton has put out, as she posted a similar one in The New York Times in March calling on Americans to engage in the political process. The advert also depicted an image of the Statue of Liberty with the head 'USA, USA, USA' printed near the torch. It then went into calls for action, including: 'We honor our commitments and stand by our allies,' 'We defend against aggression and dictators,' 'We respect our neighbors and trading partners' and 'We uphold and defend the Constitution.' The political ad ends by saying, 'The honor, dignity and integrity of our country is not for sale. Show up, attend your town halls, be civil.' In response to the uproar her ads have made, Joe Pennington, a Walmart spokesperson told 'We condemn violence, including when it's directed towards law enforcement, and the damaging of property. 'As a company with associates and customers in the Los Angeles region, we remain focused on their safety and that of impacted communities. 'The advertisements from Christy Walton are in no way connected to or endorsed by Walmart. She does not serve on the board or play any role in decision making at Walmart.'
New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Thousands of Protesters March Through Downtown Chicago
Protesters by the thousands marched through Chicago on Tuesday, stopping traffic in the downtown Loop and chanting anti-Trump slogans as they denounced immigration raids in Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities. Marchers, by turns upbeat and defiant, waved Mexican flags and held signs denouncing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and President Trump, reading 'ICE Out of Chicago,' 'One mustache away from fascism' and 'Immigrants make America great.' They were also joined by protesters supporting Palestinians, wearing kaffiyehs and calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. 'From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go,' the marchers chanted. In Chicago, a city with a sizable immigrant population, tensions have been high in predominantly Latino neighborhoods over arrests of undocumented people. In communities like Pilsen, a heavily Mexican neighborhood, some residents have been afraid to go to work or go shopping, worried that they will be detained by federal immigration agents. On Tuesday, Chicago police officers monitored the protests from the sidelines while clearing parts of downtown to allow marchers to pass. On some streets, motorists honked their horns in support and residents of high-rises took pictures from their balconies. Some protesters streamed onto DuSable Lake Shore Drive in the early evening. Cheryl Thomas, 26, said that she had joined the march 'because of the injustices being perpetrated against brown and Black people.' 'They are basically being kidnapped,' she said, adding that she doesn't know if the march will make a difference. 'Doing nothing sure won't change anything.' The marchers tried to reach Trump International Hotel & Tower, a gleaming skyscraper along the Chicago River, but the police department blocked the way with officers and large trucks in the street. The demonstration in Chicago, a predominantly left-leaning city of 2.7 million, was far larger than the regular protests in the city in opposition to the Trump administration since January. For months, groups denouncing President Trump's policies have held protests downtown, often joined by Democratic elected officials. 'This is cruelty with intent,' Representative Chuy Garcia of Chicago, a Democrat, said at a separate protest this week.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
"No Kings" protest in Chicago Saturday: What to know about the anti-Trump rally
Thousands are expected to attend the "No Kings" protest in Chicago Saturday, an anti-Trump rally planned for the same day he will hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., for his birthday. According to the official No Kings website, "On June 14 — Flag Day — President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." "No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," they continue. "We're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like. On June 14th, we're standing together to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings." In April, tens of thousands of people filled up Daley Plaza and shut down city streets for an anti-Trump protest organized by the 50501 movement, which stands for "50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement." Where and when are Chicago protests? Hundreds of protests have been planned across the country for Saturday. Chicago's main protest will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Daley Plaza, and is primarily being organized by Indivisible Chicago. Dozens of additional protests are planned for the Chicago area, including in Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Oak Park, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Palatine, Evanston, Bartlett, Highland Park, Elgin, Naperville, Lisle and more. There are also other, smaller events planned in the city of Chicago itself. A senior event will be held in the city's Edgewater neighborhood, and a family-friendly Chalk the Walk pre-protest gathering will be held on the Northwest Side to make signs, draw chalk art and engage in community building activities for all ages. Street closures and detours for No Kings Chicago protest The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications has not yet announced street closures, detours, reroutes or other measures they're planning for Saturday's demonstrations, but information is expected in the coming days. The "No Kings" protests are taking place against the backdrop of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, which have escalated after Mr. Trump ordered the National Guard in to respond, which in turn has safety top of mind for officials preparing for the Saturday rallies Anyone attending the protest downtown is encouraged to use CTA to get there. Daley Plaza is accessible by the CTA Blue Line Washington and Monroe stops; the CTA Red Line Lake stop; and from State/Lake, Washington/Wells and Washington/Wabash on the Brown, Pink, Orange, Purple and Green lines.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Walmart's Billionaire Heiress Buys Full-Page Ad Urging People To ‘Mobilize' At June 14 Anti-Trump Protests
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 16: Producer Christy Walton attends the 28th Annual Imagen Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 16, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) Getty Images Walmart heiress Christy Walton, one of the richest women in America, has joined a small group of billionaires speaking out against President Donald Trump. The 76-year-old Walton, who is worth an estimated $19.3 billion according to Forbes, paid to take out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times on Sunday calling on readers to 'mobilize' on Saturday, June 14. The advertisement appears to be an escalation of one she paid for in March, also in The Times print edition. At the top of the ad are the words 'No Kings,' which appear to reference a political organization that's coordinating hundreds of anti-Trump protests across the U.S. this Saturday, June 14, the same day Trump is slated to host a military parade in Washington, D.C.. Organizers of the counter-protests told Axios they are expecting this to be the largest single-day rally since the start of the administration. No Kings spokesperson Andrew Cook told Forbes there will be more than 1,800 events across the country. (The group is not planning a protest in D.C. as part of their plan to 'make action everywhere else.') 'In America, we don't do kings,' reads the No Kings website. 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services.' Walton's exact involvement in the group isn't clear, but she is listed as the sponsor of the New York Times advertisement, which lists eight different principles she supports – from caring for 'veterans and children' to defending 'against the aggression of dictators.' 'We are the people of the United States of America. The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale,' reads the ad. The full-page ad that ran in The New York Times print edition on Sunday. Kerry Dolan 'I saw the ads Ms. Walton placed in newspapers this past weekend,' Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the organizations partnering with No Kings to organize the anti-Trump protests, told Forbes in an emailed statement. 'People from all walks of life support No Kings because our country was founded on the idea that presidents answer to the people – not to authoritarian overreach or violence.' Walton owns an estimated 1.9% stake in Walmart, which she inherited after her husband, John Walton, died in a plane crash in 2005. John Walton was one of four children of Sam Walton, the founder of the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer. John's siblings – Rob, Jim and Alice – are among the top 15 richest people in the world, worth at least $100 billion apiece. Christy's 38-year-old son Lukas is also a billionaire after inheriting an estimated 3.7% of Walmart upon his father's death. Lukas runs the sustainability-focused philanthropic investment platform Builders Vision and is worth some $39.6 billion, according to Forbes. Despite having a notable stake in Walmart, Christy Walton has never had any role in running the retailer, which has recently clashed publicly with the Trump administration. Last month, Trump threatened Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, after its CEO Doug McMillon warned about raising prices in response to Trump's tariffs. 'EAT THE TARIFFS,' Trump said in a Truth Social post calling out Walmart. 'I'll be watching, and so will your customers!!!' Walton hasn't directly criticized Trump. However, she reportedly co-hosted a fundraiser for Trump's Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in Jackson Hole last September. She also gave more than $700,000 in political donations last year, according to Federal Election Commission data reviewed by Forbes. This includes $100,000 to WelcomePAC, a political action committee focused on helping the Democratic Party reach 'mainstream Americans,' and $200,000 to The Lincoln Project, a 'pro-democracy' PAC formed by former conservatives. In March, Walton paid for another full-page ad in The New York Times. It looks similar to the June 8 ad – with the same eight core principles and image of the Statue of Liberty – but made no mention of No Kings. It instead encouraged readers to 'attend your town halls, be civil.' Walton is one of very few billionaires to vocalize opposition against Trump despite a controversial first first few months in office due to tariffs, immigration crackdowns and unprecedented attacks against some of the country's most prestigious universities. Last Thursday, Ken Griffin, founder of the $63 billion ( assets) Citadel hedge fund and a major GOP donor, joined the small group of critics taking aim at Trump – specifically, his 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which Griffin argued at the 2025 Forbes Iconocolast Summit in Manhattan 'will unquestionably add several trillion dollars' to the federal budget deficit. The financier, who voted for Trump in 2024, also called out the president for attacking McMillon, the Walmart CEO. 'We should not be criticizing CEOs for being honest, right? And that's all the CEO of Walmart was doing' Griffin said on stage at the summit. 'Shame on the administration.' Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortune who is worth an estimated $3.7 billion, has been perhaps the most vocal critic of Trump. The billionaire governor blasted Trump in April during a fiery speech at a fundraising event in New Hampshire, calling for mass protests and disruptions. 'We will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone we have.' The next month, Pritzker described the Trump administration as 'authoritarian' during an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel talk show. Others billionaires taken specific issue with Trump's tariff policy, including Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, who warned in his letter to shareholders that tariffs would raise prices. Representatives for Walton and Walmart did not respond to Forbes' request for comment prior to publication. There was also no response from the email address listed at the bottom of both Walton's ads.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fast Company
No Kings Day: June 14 protests set to be biggest yet, will counter Trump military parade in locations nationwide. Here's what to know
June 14 is shaping up to be a big day, with millions of Americans expected to take to the streets in what organizers have said will likely be the largest single-day turnout of the anti-Trump, pro-democracy protest movement since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January, dubbed 'No Kings Day.' Organizers expect 1,800 rallies will take place on Saturday for 'a nationwide day of defiance' in every state, and major city across the country—except Washington, D.C, so as to avoid clashes with the Army's 250 anniversary celebrations which will be held that day in the nation's capital (more on that below). 'Peaceful, organized, and united. Make it clear: we don't do kings in this country,' the No Kings organizers said in a statement to Fast Company. 'From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like,' according to the No Kings website, 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he [Trump] isn't—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' The No Kings protest is sponsored by Indivisible and a broad coalition of over 180 partner organizations including: the ACLU, Common Cause, Greenpeace, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Standing Up for Science, a number of unions, including the Communication Workers of America, and teacher federations. 'Even conservative estimates say that 3.5 million people turned out for the Hands Off mobilization on April 5,' Indivisible's Ezra Levin told Fast Company. 'No Kings [in the U.S] is on track to exceed that by millions more… With events [in] red states, blue states, purple states, rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, United States, North America, Europe, South America—we're all over.' The anti-authoritarian, pro-democracy protests aim to counter President Donald Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in Washington, D.C. that day to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary that will be held on Trump's 79th birthday, which is also Flag Day. According to the Associated Press, Trump has long wanted a military parade, which is expected to feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters on a route from Arlington, Virginia to the National Mall, where there will be a fireworks display. The Army initially estimated that the cost for the day's birthday celebrations, including the parade, would range from $25 million to $45 million, which now look closer to $40 million, according to USA TODAY; and come at a time the Trump administration's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed budgets and jobs at federal agencies, including civilians in the Defense Department, per the AP. The parade's enormous price tag has further angered many Americans and Trump critics already fed up by the president's overall mishandling of the economy, from tariffs to immigration, best summed up as the TACO presidency, or Trump Always Chickens Out.
