Walmart cuts prices on 250 items as Trump claims credit

Walmart slashed prices on more than 250 summer essentials, and President Trump immediately claimed credit — but the retailer's statement made no mention of his administration.

Walmart cut prices on more than 250 seasonal items from ground beef to soda, and within hours President Trump said the move came at his administration's request to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday — a political claim the retailer's statement did not confirm.

"This summer, we're making even more investments in price, with thousands of Rollbacks across the products customers are shopping for most," said Julie Barber, executive vice president and chief merchant at Walmart U.S., in a statement that omitted any reference to the White House.

The rollbacks include a 12 percent reduction on a pound of 73 percent ground beef to $5.94 from $6.74, a 33 percent drop on Coca-Cola 24-packs to $9.97 from $14.97, and fresh sweet corn at 25 cents each, down from 68 cents. Sam's Club lowered Member's Mark bone-in chicken wings to $2 a pound from $2.88 and 88/12 ground beef to $5.97 a pound from $6.17. The cuts extend across grocery, household essentials, outdoor living, toys and apparel, the company said.

The price reductions come as U.S. consumer prices have climbed 4.2 percent over the past 12 months, fueled by tariffs Trump imposed and rising fuel costs from the Iran war. With midterm elections approaching, the political battle over who deserves credit — or blame — for grocery bills carries high stakes for both parties.

Trump's Claim and Walmart's Silence

On Truth Social, Trump wrote that Walmart was "lowering prices, by a lot, at my Administration's request to celebrate our great Country's 250th birthday." He specifically cited a nearly 15 percent drop on ground beef. Walmart's release made no mention of any administration influence, and the company did not publicly comment on Trump's post.

The president has previously pressured Walmart directly on pricing. In May 2025, Trump posted that Walmart should "EAT THE TARIFFS" and not pass costs to customers, after the company flagged tariff-related price increases. Walmart has benefited from higher inflation under Trump, as consumers turned to its stores for lower prices, according to its quarterly earnings in May.

A Broader Retail Trend

Walmart is not alone in cutting prices. Target lowered prices on about 3,000 items in March. Costco dropped prices on some Kirkland Signature items in June. Dollar General said it now offers more than 2,000 items at or below $1. Kroger proposed cutting prices on thousands of items in what Bloomberg described as its largest strategic shift in years.

The wave of retail price cuts may signal easing input costs or deflationary pressure that could squeeze margins in the short term. But for Walmart, the rollbacks could boost foot traffic and sales volume at a time when consumers are increasingly price-sensitive. The company earlier this year launched price cuts on 7,200 items after tariff refunds were announced.

The interim ceasefire deal with Iran has led to lower oil prices as more tankers can travel through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially easing transportation costs for retailers. Still, economists say it will take years to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd after drought forced ranchers to slash herds, keeping beef prices elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.