Activist heiress Christy Walton attacks Trump with NYT ad
- Christy Walton, a Walmart heiress, placed an advertisement in The New York Times urging civic engagement against Trump’s military parade.
- The ad faced intense backlash from Trump supporters, leading to calls for a Walmart boycott among far-right influencers.
- Walmart disavowed connection to Walton's ad, stating she does not serve on the board or engage in decision-making.
In the United States, billionaire heiress Christy Walton, who is associated with Walmart, faced backlash after she took out a full-page advertisement in The New York Times. This advertisement was meant to call for civic engagement during protests against President Donald Trump's military parade planned for June 14, 2025. The ad stated, "The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale," rallying support for the 'No Kings' organization, which organizes protests against Trump's administration. Although the ad did not directly mention Trump, its content resonated with many criticisms of his policies and governance. In response to Walton's ad, figures from the far-right, including political influencers and lawmakers, began calling for a boycott of Walmart. They accused Walton of using her wealth for political motives, claiming that her advertisement was out of touch with Trump's supporters. White House advisers also commented, denouncing the ad as an ineffective gesture that disregarded the voters who elected Trump. Despite the backlash, a spokesperson for Walmart clarified that Walton's actions did not represent the company and emphasized that she does not hold any official position within Walmart. They stated that her message was personal and aimed at promoting peaceful civic engagement, rather than promoting any violent or extremist agendas. The spokesperson reiterated that Christy Walton does not have a role in decision-making processes at Walmart. As protests against the military parade approached, tensions grew. President Trump responded to the planned protests by stating that any demonstrators would be met with "very heavy force." This was indicative of Trump's administration's previous approach to unrest, which included controversial use of federal forces against protesters. Walton’s advertisement, along with the surrounding circumstances, highlighted the increasing divide in American politics, particularly concerning Trump's leadership and the reactions it engenders among the wealthy class and activists.