Overview
- Walmart spokespersons told PolitiFact and Fox Business the claims are false and that stores will remain open for in-person shopping.
- Fact-checkers found no company announcement or credible reporting of closures, and an Oct. 27 press release promoted in-store Black Friday events.
- Viral TikTok posts claimed doors would lock and shopping would shift to curbside or online only, with some videos drawing more than 1 million views.
- USDA has warned SNAP benefits could halt Nov. 1 if the shutdown continues, potentially affecting about 42 million people, and 25 states sought emergency relief to sustain benefits.
- Lead Stories traced screenshots used in the posts to unrelated Canadian correspondence referencing Lucas Gasparini, and New York authorities reported looting threats against grocers.