President Donald Trump rebukes retail giant Walmart for rising prices, demanding that the corporation absorb the costs of tariffs rather than pass them on to consumers.

According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Trump made the demand during a private meeting after reports indicated that Walmart had raised prices on household staples.

These hikes were primarily attributed to tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, which Trump has pledged to expand significantly if he wins a second term.

The report describes a visibly frustrated Trump, who was reportedly caught off guard by internal polling that showed price increases were deeply unpopular among swing voters.

A source present at the meeting said Trump exclaimed, “Tell Walmart to eat the tariffs!”, expressing concern that inflation linked to his trade policies could jeopardize his electoral prospects.

Trump’s tariffs have long been a cornerstone of his economic platform, pitched as a tool to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and punish what he calls unfair trade practices by China.

However, economists have repeatedly pointed out that such tariffs often lead to higher costs for American businesses and consumers, as companies tend to pass the additional costs along the supply chain.

Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., is particularly sensitive to shifts in global trade policy. The company sources a significant portion of its products from China and has historically warned that tariffs could force them to increase prices.

A Walmart spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the report but reiterated the company’s position that tariffs increase operational costs, which may result in higher prices for consumers.

While Trump continues to double down on protectionist trade rhetoric, behind closed doors, his team is reportedly grappling with the economic consequences of those very policies.