My mother used to do a bit with my father where whenever he was watching a football game, she’d periodically come into the room and ask, “What inning is it?” It was her way of joking about her utter lack of sportsball knowledge (which you’ve probably noticed I inherited). Yet even my mother was texting family in righteous indignation this weekend over Donald “The Jinx” Trump interfering in FIFA business. While Trump was gloating at first, he seemed to waddle-waffle backwards on Monday when people were reacting not so favorably to his tarnishing the USMNT, and that was even before Belgium kicked them out of competition. As too many say too often: EVERYTHING he touches… Well, as part of Teflon Don’s deflecting tactics (in combination with his need to center himself in things that have absolutely nothing to do with him), on Monday he tried taking credit for Walmart’s summer sale. Its pre-existing summer sale. One that happens every, you know, summer.

He claims the summer sale was at his Administration’s request: The country’s largest grocer on Monday highlighted some of its seasonal sales, which are common for the summer. This included rollbacks on ground beef, ribs, soda and more at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, according to a press release. Earlier on Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Walmart lowered prices “at my Administration’s request to celebrate our great Country’s 250th birthday.” He highlighted an alleged 15% discount on beef. “This is a huge deal for the many millions of Americans who, smartly, shop at Walmart, which is a truly patriotic Company who loves the U.S.A.,” he continued.

The sales had been in effect for a week already: Trump tied this regular seasonal sale to his claims that his administration lowered costs for consumers, from gas prices to eggs. … Summer sales are typical for chains like Walmart and these discounts had been in place for a week before Trump’s Truth Social post. For example, the soda packs that are on sale were discounted last summer, as well, according to the Facebook page of a Walmart location in Texas.

He pulled this stunt during Thanksgiving as well: He promoted a similar storyline in 2025 when he claimed that Walmart’s annual Thanksgiving meal basket was cheaper than the one the year before. But the claim was missing very important context, such as the 2025 basket having fewer items and containing more products from Walmart’s “Great Value” store brand. … Walmart’s summer rollbacks aren’t out of the ordinary. Grocery stores will often roll back prices on items or produce that are in season — the exact kinds that customers would want for a backyard barbeque.

Actually, grocery prices are worse under Trump and people know it: The discounts come as many Americans say they aren’t happy with Trump’s economy. A CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that 77% of respondents said his policies have increased the cost of living in their own community, including a majority of Republicans. Grocery prices have risen 2.7% over the past year, which is less than overall inflation of 4.2%. But grocery-price inflation is still more than double compared to two years ago.

[From CNN]

This is what was so infuriating about the whole “But the price of eggs!” malarkey in the 2024 election: we KNEW prices would only get worse under Trump! (Along with everything else.) As for trying to take political credit for a run-of-the-mill seasonal sale, is it the worst offense this president has committed? Not by a long shot. But I for one will never miss an opportunity to recognize the mind-boggling stupidity of this dumb, dunderheaded man. It’s a summer sale, you moron! Plus, “I got the grocery store to do an America 250 promotion!” is not a presidential flex, and in this case, it isn’t even true. And FWIW, Walmart hasn’t been as chummy with this administration as other big corporations. Their CFO wasn’t afraid to publicly say that higher prices were the direct result of Trump’s tariffs, and earlier this year a Walton family heiress (by marriage, still counts) took out a full-page anti-ICE ad in the NY Times. I don’t think they’re exactly running to take marketing advice from a failed businessman.

Photos credit: Daniel Torok/Avalon and via Instagram