BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Walmart has denied a report from President Donald Trump, claiming the retail chain is closing 250 locations in California because it cannot afford the state’s minimum wage.
The president took to TRUTH Social on Wednesday night and posted a video twice titled “California Governor PANICS as Walmart Shuts Down 250+ Stores Across State.”
In the video, it says that Walmart is planning to close these stores because the Bentonville-based retailer cannot afford California’s “$22 per hour minimum wage.”
The U.S. Department of Labor’s website shows that California’s statewide minimum wage is $16.90.
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A Walmart spokesperson confirmed to KNWA/FOX24 on Thursday that the report is not accurate.
Walmart recently opened a store in Eastvale, Calif., one of at least five new locations across the country set to open this year. The company’s website says that there are more than 300 locations in California.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office said in an X post on Wednesday, “Walmart’s 303 stores in California are open.”
“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,” Newsom’s office said.
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