President Donald Trump posted 56 times on Truth Social in the space of just one hour, spreading claims about Walmart and Governor Gavin Newsom that were demonstrably false.
In one post, he alleged that Walmart would close 85 per cent of its California stores due to the state's $22 (18) minimum wage, while another shared an AI-generated video accusing Newsom of operating a drug-money laundering operation with the Mexican cartel.
Independent fact-checkers and the companies involved quickly debunked both claims, but Newsom pushes back on what's true on Trump's claims, saying 'We cannot believe we have to say any of this out loud'.
One of Trump's posts claimed that Walmart would close 85 per cent of its 303 stores in California because of the state's $22 (18) minimum wage. The post saw the wage policy as 'crushing businesses' and implied that workers would soon face widespread job losses.
In reality, Walmart confirmed that all 303 stores in California remain open, with no planned closures linked to wages. Analysts say the allegation exaggerates the economic effect of the $22 (18) minimum wage, which is higher than the federal minimum but still manageable for major retail chains.
Walmart has previously adjusted pay and scheduling to accommodate local labour laws, but closing stores would be unnecessary given the company's profitability and scale.
Experts also note that Trump's post misrepresents the timing of wage increases....
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