‘If He Was White’: Influencers Explode Over Walmart’s Lifetime Ban on Black Creator Who Gives Struggling Shoppers Cash
Damon Darling has built an online following by using his platform to help strangers, but his latest giveaway has sparked a larger debate after Walmart issued him a lifetime ban.
Influencers and social media users are coming to the Black creator’s defense, with responses pouring in online as some question whether he would have received the same treatment if he were white.
Darling is known for meeting shoppers and handing out cash and gift cards, offering to pay for gas, and speaking with families and children.
‘Banned for Life’
A video posted Sunday shows Darling being refused entry to a Walmart in Columbus. The video circulated on Reddit and appeared to show an employee telling Darling that he could not enter the store.
Darling claimed police and someone he believed was a manager had previously told him he could shop there. The employee disagreed and told him Walmart is private property. The employee also said the ban came from the company.
Darling said he shops at Walmart because he wants to help people struggling with higher grocery costs. Despite his explanation, the employee asked him to leave, and Darling eventually complied after a lengthy exchange.
The situation escalated Aug. 11 when a video surfaced showing uniformed police officers serving Damon Darling and another person with formal trespass warnings on behalf of Walmart. An officer told them they were banned for life from “any Walmarts, any Sam’s Clubs, or any Murphy gas station.”
Darling questioned who issued the ban and why. The officer responded that Walmart had issued it and explained that, as a private business, the company did not have to provide a reason for the ban. Darling asked whether he could appeal the decision and was told he could contact Walmart’s corporate office. “I’m definitely appealing. I’m going to give it to my lawyer,” Darling responded.
After the officer left, Darling expressed disbelief over the decision. “Their life is different, man. They’re hating on us, man. That’s crazy,” he said before adding, “No more Walmart.”
‘What Are We Doing?’
Now that the details of Darling’s Walmart ban have spread online, Black creators are speaking out on TikTok and questioning the retailer’s decision. The backlash has focused on the contrast between Darling’s stated goal of helping struggling shoppers and Walmart’s explanation that its ban stems from alleged “disruptive behavior and trespassing, unrelated to any charitable giving.”
One TikTok user said in his video, “So let me get this straight, Walmart banned Damon Darling for life for going in they store and paying for people’s groceries? Walmart, what are we doing?”
Another user bluntly stated, “If he were white, Walmart would do a whole campaign and have this guy in commercials smh.”
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A proclaimed psychotherapist on TikTok broke down the situation and defended Darling, “We need more kindness, and Damon Darling is one of the few people that has kindness going viral consistently. He never did anything bad, anything wrong, anything criminal, anything of the sorts. Walmart has banned him. They do not want this happening at all.”
“So now we’re punishing people for paying for paying for other’s groceries? That’s a quick way to lose clientele,” A TikToker warned the company. “I can only see things getting bad from here.”
Darling Explains His Side
Darling addressed the controversy during an appearance on TMZ Live, explaining his side of the Walmart encounter and the ban that followed.
During the interview, TMZ questioned whether the ban stemmed from Darling’s earlier prank content, including videos in which he faked falls and pulled merchandise from store shelves.
Darling acknowledged that humor has been part of his work but said his approach has changed.
“I’m a stand-up comedian, I do bring humor, but my content has completely evolved into wholesome content,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to put smiles on faces and some money in people’s pockets.”
Darling said his content has changed significantly over the years and now centers on positivity and helping others. He said he did not expect Walmart to ban him but acknowledged that he has previously encountered employees who objected to his filming.
According to Darling, the people featured in his giveaways willingly participate. “They almost go to Walmart looking for me. They’re excited to see me,” he told TMZ.
A Walmart spokesperson told TMZ that the company’s decision had nothing to do with Darling’s charitable efforts. “We deeply care about our associates and customers. Darling has repeatedly violated our policies through disruptive behavior and trespassing, unrelated to any charitable giving,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the ban, Darling said he does not plan to challenge Walmart by returning to its stores. “I’ll respect their wishes. I’m at a point where I’m just going to do what they ask me and not come back,” he said.
He also pushed back against the idea of using the controversy to encourage a boycott of the retailer.
“I don’t want anybody boycotting Walmart. I don’t want to put any more negativity or anything like that out in the world. I’ll respect their wishes and I’ll figure something else out,” Darling said.