It’s not just the common men but also the billionaires. Walmart heiress Christy Walton has lent her support to a nationwide protest campaign against American President Donald Trump.
The 76-year-old silently sponsored a full-page advertisement in The New York Times this week, calling on Americans to take to the streets on June 14—the same day Trump intends to stage a military parade in Washington, D.C.
The advertisement, which has the headline, “No Kings,” pairs Walton with a rapidly expanding political movement that is mounting more than 1,800 protests nationwide. The movement calls outs authoritarianism and demands a turn toward democratic ideals.
“We Don’t Do Kings”
The No Kings movement won’t take to the streets of D.C. Rather, it seeks to make waves in cities across the country. “In America, we don’t do kings,” says the group on its website.
Walton’s advertisement identifies eight guiding principles, such as defending civil rights, taking care of veterans, and being defiant towards dictators. “The honour, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale,” the message says.
This is the second time Walton has placed such an advertisement. In March, she ran a comparable one encouraging civic engagement, though without the No Kings identification.
Walton’s Quiet Political Moves
While Walton hasn’t criticised Trump directly, she did make her position known. She co-hosted a fundraiser for Kamala Harris last year in Wyoming and gave more than $700,000 to Democratic efforts.
That includes $100,000 to WelcomePAC, an organisation that targets moderate voters, and $200,000 to The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump conservative organisation.
Walton inherited her wealth when her husband, John Walton, passed away in 2005. She holds 1.9% of Walmart but has no position in the operations of the company. Walmart stated that Walton’s political positions are hers alone and have nothing to do with the retail giant.
Billionaire Pushback Grows
Walton is not the only billionaire criticising the Trump Administration. Citadel founder and former Trump ally Ken Griffin criticised the president’s economic policies at a recent summit.
JB Pritzker, Hyatt heir and Illinois governor, has also demanded protests, deeming the Trump administration “authoritarian.” Even JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned of Trump’s tariff policy and its effect on consumers.
As the protests gain steam on the eve of Saturday, Walton’s message is elegant in its simplicity and force: protest peacefully, voice your objection, and defend democracy.
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