Fact Check: Did Walmart announce closure of 23 ‘Neighborhood Markets’ in NYC over Mamdani’s tax plan?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Social media users were abuzz this week over claims that Walmart planned to close 23 of its “Neighborhood Market” stores across New York City, allegedly in protest of the so-called “communist tax system” proposed by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

But is there any truth to the claim? Let’s find out. 

Claim: Walmart to close 23 ‘Neighborhood Markets’ in NYC due to Mamdani’s tax plan

The rumor originated from a Facebook post published on November 9, 2025, featuring an image of a Walmart storefront with a text overlay that read: “Walmart will close its 23 ‘Neighborhood Markets’ in New York City: ‘We’d have to double most of our prices to deal with the new Communist tax system Mamdani has planned.’”

The post quickly spread across Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), with users expressing outrage over the supposed decision. Some commenters even cited the alleged closures as evidence of “businesses fleeing New York” ahead of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s January 2026 swearing-in.

Fact Check: False, Walmart has no stores in NYC

According to Walmart’s official store locator and corporate communications, the company currently operates no active locations within New York City’s five boroughs. This includes all store formats, supercenters, discount stores, and the smaller Neighborhood Markets.

The photo used in the viral post was not taken in New York City. A TinEye reverse image search revealed that the image has been online since 2014 and does not match any NYC street features. For instance, New York City street signs do not use cardinal directions like “South” or “North,” both of which appear in the viral image.

Further investigation found that the original version of the story originated from America’s Last Line of Defense (ALLOD), a network of satirical websites created by Christopher Blair, also known as “Busta Troll.” Blair openly describes his work as parody intended to provoke conservative audiences into reacting to fictional headlines.  

Each ALLOD website features a visible disclaimer that reads: “Everything on this website is fiction... It is not fake news because it is not real.”

Despite these disclaimers, the satirical posts are frequently copied and republished by fake news websites that remove the satire label. One of the most persistent distributors of these reposted stories is Kashif Shahzad Khokhar, also known as “DashiKashi,” who operates clickbait networks that repackage Blair’s content for advertising revenue.

Past false claims about NYC business flight debunked

This isn’t the first time viral misinformation has targeted New York City’s economic landscape. In recent months, several false claims have circulated online suggesting that major businesses planned to relocate due to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s progressive tax proposals.

Earlier, similar fabricated reports alleged that the New York Stock Exchange was moving out of the city and that the “nation’s largest trucking company” would stop operating in NYC once Mamdani took office. In reality, no verified evidence supports any claims of a mass business exodus linked to Mamdani’s upcoming administration or his proposed tax system.

Walmart, meanwhile, continues to operate hundreds of stores across New York State, but none within New York City limits.