TikTok star Damon Darling urges fans not to boycott Walmart after lifetime ban: ‘I love Walmart still’
TheGrio...
Days after receiving a lifetime ban from Walmart, viral content creator Damon Darling is urging supporters not to retaliate against the retail giant, saying he still loves the company and hopes to work with it one day.
Damon Darling may be banned from Walmart for life, but he doesn’t want his supporters breaking up with the retailer on his behalf.
The comedian and social media personality is asking fans not to boycott Walmart after his lifetime ban from the retail chain sparked outrage online.
“I don’t want nobody boycotting Walmart,” Darling said in a video shared on social media. “I love Walmart still.”
Darling’s plea comes after some of his more than 10 million social media followers called for a boycott of the retailer in response to his ban.
The content creator went viral earlier this week after sharing footage of himself being removed from an Ohio Walmart and later being served with a lifetime trespass notice. Darling, who has become known in recent years for videos showing him paying for strangers’ groceries and giving money to people in need, initially questioned why he was being removed from the store.
“I’m just buying people’s groceries,” Darling said in the video documenting the incident.
Walmart has since pushed back on the suggestion that Darling was banned for helping customers.
“Mr. Darling has repeatedly violated our policies through disruptive behavior and trespassing,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement, according to multiple reports.
Darling has acknowledged that some of his previous content at Walmart included pranks and antics that may have violated the retailer’s rules. Before shifting much of his content toward acts of generosity, Darling filmed comedy videos and pranks inside stores.
Despite the lifetime ban, Darling says there are no hard feelings on his end.
“I love Walmart,” he reiterated while discouraging his followers from retaliating against the company. Darling also expressed hope that he and the retailer could eventually repair their relationship.
@damondarlingtv IM SORRY
The comedian has an additional reason for wanting to stay on good terms with Walmart. Darling, who has launched his own Meemaw Coffee brand, said one of his dreams is to eventually see his coffee sold on Walmart shelves.
For now, however, Darling says he plans to respect the retailer’s decision and continue his acts of kindness elsewhere.
The controversy has continued to generate debate online, with some fans maintaining that they intend to stop shopping at Walmart despite Darling’s request.
Darling, meanwhile, appears to be choosing reconciliation over retaliation.
“I don’t want no drama,” he said.