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Former President Trump shares false claims about Walmart closures and election fraud in social media blitz, drawing criticism from California governor’s office and fact-checkers.
In a flurry of posts across social media platforms Wednesday night and Thursday morning, former President Donald Trump shared numerous false claims, including misinformation about Walmart store closures in California and debunked election conspiracy theories.
Trump twice shared a video titled “California Governor PANICS as Walmart Shuts Down 250+ Stores Across State,” which falsely claimed the retail giant was closing hundreds of locations because it couldn’t afford California’s allegedly “$22 per hour” minimum wage.
A Walmart spokesperson quickly debunked the claim Thursday morning, telling CNN, “This isn’t accurate information. In fact, we actually just recently opened a new store in California.” The company confirmed it is not conducting mass store closures in the state for any reason.
California’s actual statewide minimum wage currently stands at $16.90 per hour, not the $22 figure cited in the video, which appears to have originated from a YouTube account dedicated to posting sensational but inaccurate videos criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom’s office responded forcefully on social media Wednesday night, expressing disbelief at Trump’s promotion of false information. “Walmart’s 303 stores in California are open,” the governor’s office wrote, before adding: “We cannot believe we have to say any of this out loud. We cannot believe this is real life. And we truly cannot believe this man has the nuclear codes.”
By Thursday morning, nearly all of the anti-Newsom videos had been deleted from the YouTube account that originally posted the false Walmart closure claims, according to screenshots provided to CNN by the governor’s office.
The retail misinformation was just one component of Trump’s posting spree. The former president also shared numerous false claims about elections, including elaborate conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 presidential contest he continues to falsely insist was stolen from him.
One particularly outlandish post shared by Trump detailed a nonexistent vote-flipping conspiracy allegedly involving former President Barack Obama, the FBI, the CIA, China, and Italian officials – claims that have been thoroughly debunked by election officials, courts, and independent fact-checkers.
Trump also twice shared posts claiming Wisconsin has “more than seven million registered voters,” supposedly millions more than its adult population. “This is not a glitch; it is election fraud waiting to happen!” one of the shared posts claimed.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission’s website directly contradicts this assertion, stating: “The State of Wisconsin had 3,602,958 active registered voters on January 1, 2026.” When contacted by CNN on Thursday, the commission clarified that while the state also has approximately 4.6 million inactive voters in its database—people who have died, moved away, been convicted of felonies, or been purged from rolls due to inactivity—these individuals “are not considered registered voters” and “would have to re-register before voting.”
Trump’s continued promotion of false information comes as he campaigns for a return to the White House, raising concerns among critics about the potential impact of widespread misinformation on public trust in democratic institutions and the electoral process. Social media platforms have implemented varying levels of fact-checking and content moderation policies since the 2020 election, though false claims continue to circulate widely.
The episode highlights the ongoing challenge of combating misinformation in an era of partisan polarization and fragmented media consumption, particularly when amplified by political figures with large follower bases and significant influence.
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8 Comments
It’s disappointing to see continued attempts to sow division and undermine public trust, even long after the election. Fact-based reporting is essential to counter these kinds of false claims.
Agreed. Verifying information and holding public figures accountable is crucial for maintaining a healthy democracy and informed citizenry.
The details in this article highlight the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking, especially when it comes to claims about major businesses and their operations. Good to see the record set straight.
Interesting that Trump would make such a blatantly false claim about Walmart store closures. Fact-checking and correcting misinformation is so important, especially from influential public figures.
Absolutely. It’s concerning to see the spread of false narratives, even from former presidents. Kudos to the media for swiftly debunking this claim.
This is a concerning trend of spreading misinformation, even from high-profile individuals. I’m glad to see the media taking the time to thoroughly investigate and correct the record.
The details in this article highlight the need for careful scrutiny of online claims, especially those related to the business operations of major companies. Good to see the facts clarified.
Yes, it’s a good reminder to always verify information, especially when it comes from unverified sources or partisan figures. Fact-checking is crucial.