Influencer Damon Darling, who has amassed over 10 million followers, was removed from a Walmart store in Ohio on August 7 while filming a segment where he pays for random customers’ groceries.
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Darling, 39, from Urbana, Ohio, posted video footage showing him being kicked out of the store
and later told by an officer that
the ban covers every Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Murphy USA location.
In the viral clip, Darling protested his removal.
The online personality has built a following through videos where he buys groceries for struggling shoppers.
The video showed a Walmart staffer kicking him out even after
Darling is seen interacting with a Walmart employee near the store entrance. He attempts to explain that he is only there to buy groceries for people, citing the impact of inflation and high food prices as his motivation for the act of kindness.
“I’m just buying people’s groceries!”
Darling said in the clip.
Darling tried to argue that both a manager and police had cleared him to be there.
Darling argued on camera that local police and a store manager had cleared him; a Walmart employee disputed both claims.
He claimed police and someone he believed was a manager previously told him he could shop there, but the employee disputed that and reminded him Walmart is private property and the ban came from corporate.
The video struck a chord with millions.
The footage has since racked up 2.6 million views.
Outrage spread fast online.
“If Walmart cancels Damon, then we all cancel Walmart,” one commenter wrote.
Similarly, a possible fan suggested, “We should all boycott until they let him back in.”
Many called for the store to reverse course.
Fans calling for a nationwide boycott of the retail chain.
Walmart shot back with a formal statement.
“We deeply care about our associates and customers. Mr. Darling has repeatedly violated our policies through disruptive behavior and trespassing, unrelated to any charitable giving.”
The company would not elaborate on what specific violations it was citing.
Darling acknowledged his past on camera.
In a TMZ Live interview on August 11, Darling acknowledged his older content — which included throwing items, faking falls, and pouring milk on himself inside Walmart stores — and said his approach has since evolved toward positivity.
Darling told the host he had changed his ways.
Damon says his content has evolved over the years… and now he’s all about positivity… but if Walmart doesn’t want him there, he won’t cause a problem.
He also vowed not to push back against the chain.
Darling says he’ll figure out another avenue.
In an earlier statement to media, Darling had been more defiant about his intentions.
“I don’t want any problems. I don’t want anyone boycotting Walmart. I don’t want people to stop shopping at Walmart. What I wanna do is bring love and laughter and that’s what I want to do, so I don’t want to add to any kind of drama in the world.”
Darling also floated the idea of a legal challenge.
Community sources report that Darling’s own social accounts show a separate incident in which he was formally trespassed and later pulled over by a sheriff or local police who confirmed the trespass order; Darling is said to have stated he will contact his lawyer.
Darling has built his massive fanbase through acts of what he calls generosity.
The Ohio comedian has built a massive social-media following by mixing outrageous humor with unexpected generosity.
Comedy venues around the country describe him as a nationally touring comedian whose act incorporates his real-life experiences, crowd work and spontaneous humor.
But his early content was rowdy.
Darling shared videos of himself performing skits inside his local Walmart… throwing items, pretending to fall in front of customers, and even pouring milk all over his body.
In the viral moment that triggered the current uproar, Darling returned to an Ohio store he had been asked to leave before.
Darling says it was the second time he’d been asked to leave that location.
Employees refused him entry, and later a police officer approached him outside.
A uniformed police officer served him a formal trespass notice covering Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Murphy USA locations.
The officer delivered the news matter-of-factly, making clear the ban was corporate policy.
The officer said the company was not required to provide a specific reason.
Darling says he will stop filming at Walmart and find another avenue.