Trump Shares Misleading Video Claiming Walmart Shutting Down Stores in California

The video's allegations about a $22 minimum wage and mass store closures are false, according to Walmart and California's governor.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Former US President Donald Trump shared a video on social media that falsely claimed Walmart was shutting down more than 250 stores across California due to a supposed $22 hourly minimum wage implemented by Governor Gavin Newsom. However, both Walmart and the governor's office have rejected the video's allegations as untrue, noting that California's minimum wage is far lower and the state has not seen mass Walmart store closures.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation and the spread of AI-generated content online, especially when amplified by high-profile political figures. It also underscores the tensions between Trump and Newsom, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the former president.

The details

The video, which was narrated by a purported news anchor named "Megan Wright", claimed that Walmart was shutting down over 250 stores in California due to "policies that ignored basic economics", including a $22 hourly minimum wage requirement. However, Walmart confirmed to AFP that these claims are false - the company operates 303 retail stores in California, including 30 Sam's Club locations, and a new store opened as recently as January 2026. California's actual minimum wage is $16.90 for all employers and $20 for fast food restaurants, far below the $22 figure cited in the video.

  • On January 28, 2026, Trump shared the video twice on his Truth Social platform.
  • On February 3, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom's office clarified that "Walmart's 303 stores in California are open".

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who shared the misleading video on his social media platform.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic Governor of California, who has emerged as a vocal critic of Trump and whose policies were falsely criticized in the video.

Walmart

The American retail giant that operates 303 stores in California, including 30 Sam's Club locations, and confirmed the claims in the video were false.

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What they’re saying

“This is false. The claims that are being made there, those claims are false.”

— Walmart spokesperson (AFP)

“President Trump is right and Governor Newsom's Democratic policies have already driven millions of residents and countless businesses out of California in the past decade alone.”

— Kush Desai, White House spokesperson (AFP)

What’s next

The White House has not provided any specific data to support Trump's claims, and California officials have refuted the video's allegations. It remains to be seen if Trump will face any consequences for sharing the misleading content.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of combating misinformation, especially when it is amplified by high-profile political figures. It also highlights the tensions between Trump and Newsom, whose policies have been a frequent target of criticism from the former president.