No, Walmart Is NOT Shutting Down 5,000 US Stores: How a Rachel Maddow AI Hoax Fooled Millions

A recent video went viral online, claiming that Walmart planned to close all 5,000 of its stores in the United States and exit the American market.

The clip, posted on a YouTube channel called Maddow's Brief, featured a seemingly live broadcast of TV host and liberal political commentator Rachel Maddow as she announces the alleged closures. According to the video, Walmart was supposedly shutting its stores due to rising grocery costs caused by tariffs and supply chain pressures. The footage claimed that the closures would occur nationwide, leaving millions of Americans without access to Walmart's retail outlets.

The video was styled to look like a legitimate news report, complete with Maddow's familiar voice and a studio background resembling her broadcast. Yet despite its realistic appearance, the video was entirely fabricated using artificial intelligence technology.

This AI-generated content was designed to mimic real news and mislead viewers into believing Walmart was on the verge of a nationwide shutdown. The original video and its channel have been taken down from YouTube, but the clip was re uploaded on various other channels.

How It Was Identified As AI

Online fact-checkers quickly noted multiple signs that the video was AI-generated rather than genuine footage. Observers detected unnatural speech patterns, robotic voice inflections, and awkward facial movements inconsistent with standard broadcast presentation.

The video also lacked the cadence and tone of Maddow's real reporting, and it originated from a YouTube channel with no legitimate editorial history or affiliation with her show, according to The Sun. Maddow's official platforms have no record of this announcement, and the programme The Rachel Maddow Show is distributed through the MS NOW channel, not via independent YouTube uploads.

The combination of AI visual artefacts, unnatural voice patterns, and lack of credible sourcing made it clear that the viral clip was a deepfake designed to mislead viewers, illustrating the growing challenge of identifying and responding to AI-generated misinformation.

The Truth About Walmart Store Shutdowns

Walmart has not announced plans to shut down its entire US store network. The claim that the retailer is exiting the American market is entirely unfounded. In truth, the company remains operational nationwide and continues to open new stores, remodel existing locations, and invest in long‑term strategic growth.

In recent years, Walmart has closed a small number of under-performing stores, which is a standard practice in retail. But these closures have never approached anything near 5,000 locations.

For example, reports confirmed that 11 store closures occurred in 2024 as part of routine network optimisation, even as Walmart simultaneously pursues plans to build or convert more than 150 new outlets in the US by 2030.

Broader Concerns: AI and Misleading Content

The Walmart hoax illustrates a larger trend: AI‑generated misinformation is increasingly capable of mimicking credible news formats. Whether deepfakes are used to impersonate public figures or to fabricate dramatic headlines, they pose a real challenge for digital literacy.

Misinformation can spread rapidly because people often react to sensational claims without verifying them. Unfortunately, AI fakes have blurred the lines of what many online users consider trustworthy, pushing audiences to question authentic statements and even established news sources.

Why Verification Matters

False stories about major corporations like Walmart can have real‑world consequences. They can create unnecessary panic among consumers, harm investor confidence, or drive misguided public discourse — even when quickly debunked.

In 2023, a report from CBS News covered a misleading footage that showed looted Walmart stores. This misinformation sparked panic within communities, prompting local law enforcement to step in and set the record straight.

As AI tools advance, critical evaluation of information is more important than ever. Individuals should cross‑check claims against reputable news outlets and official corporate announcements rather than relying on viral social media posts or unverified videos. The Walmart hoax serves as a timely reminder that not everything shared online is real, and even familiar figures can be impersonated using artificial intelligence.