Trump touts Walmart price cuts as patriotic, but retailer calls it a routine summer sale

Walmart is cutting prices on thousands of items, from ground beef to Coca-Cola, prompting President Donald Trump to take credit and praise the retailer as 'patriotic.' But the company says the move is nothing more than a seasonal strategy and made no mention of the White House.

"Trump called Walmart 'patriotic' for cutting beef prices, in a stark change of tune."

MarketWatchTrump calls Walmart ‘patriotic’ for cutting beef prices — in a stark change of tune

MarketWatch noted that the president's approval marks a reversal: he had previously criticized Walmart for its response to tariffs. The price cuts cover a broad range of products including beef, produce, drinks, pools, toys, grills, and summer clothing, according to the New York Times.

Trump asserted on social media that he had asked Walmart to lower prices to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, AP News reported. However, the retailer's statement described the reductions as a routine seasonal push to save shoppers money and did not credit the administration.

"Trump claimed credit for Walmart's recent price cuts ... Walmart's statement described the cuts as a routine seasonal strategy and made no mention of the administration's involvement."

AP News added that Trump faces public backlash over inflation, which has climbed 4.2% over the past year a rate higher than he inherited, attributed partly to his tariffs and the Iran war's impact on energy costs. Trump has blamed Democrats for the continuing price increases. The Seoul Economic Daily reported that the president called Walmart's move 'great,' even as the retailer focuses on easing pressure on consumers amid rising U.S. inflation.

Seoul Economic DailyWalmart Slashes Thousands of Prices; Trump Calls It "Great"