Christy Walton, billionaire heiress to the Walmart fortune, is backing the national “No Kings” protest movement with a full-page advertisement in the New York Times. The ad, which ran on Sunday, urges Americans to participate in protests across the country on June 14 — the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C. marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with former President Donald Trump’s birthday.
The advertisement includes a list of eight civic principles, such as honoring international commitments, supporting veterans and children, defending democracy, upholding the rule of law, and respecting global partnerships. It ends with a strong declaration: “We are the people of the United States of America. The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale,” followed by, “Our government is of the people, by the people, for the people.”
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A spokesperson for Walton said the purpose of the ad was to encourage peaceful civic participation during the upcoming protests.
Walmart quickly distanced itself from the campaign, stating that Christy Walton’s ad was not affiliated with the company. “She does not serve on the board or play any role in decision-making at Walmart,” the retailer clarified in a statement.
The backdrop to Walton’s public stance includes growing tensions between Walmart and Trump over tariffs. The retail giant had previously warned that Trump’s tariff policies would lead to higher prices for consumers. Trump responded by saying Walmart should “eat the tariffs” rather than raise prices.
When asked about the planned protests, Trump dismissed the suggestion of being authoritarian, saying, “I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”
The “No Kings” protest, according to organizers, is intended as a nationwide day of action against what they describe as the Trump administration’s authoritarian behavior. The movement’s website accuses the administration of cracking down on free speech, detaining political dissidents, ignoring court orders, and enriching allies.
The protest’s timing was strategically chosen to draw attention away from the D.C. military celebration.
Christy Walton emphasized that she does not support violence and hopes the protests remain peaceful. Her spokesperson said she believes in civil discourse, community engagement, and the right to peacefully express differing views.
