Walmart has demanded Mississippi's GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, Cindy Hyde-Smith, return its campaign donation.
The retail giant gave Hyde-Smith's campaign $2,000 on November 18, according to Popular Information. As Blavity previously reported, the candidate publicly praised an ally of hers at a rally about a week before the donation was given, saying, "If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row."
The comments were slammed by people across the nation, many of whom noted more lynchings took place in Mississippi during Jim Crow than in any other state. Hyde-Smith's Democratic rival, a Black man named Mike Espy, said, "Cindy Hyde-Smith's comments are reprehensible." He also called her words "hurtful and harmful."
Despite this backlash, the Republican refused to apologize, calling her words nothing more than "an exaggerated expression of regard."
After news of Walmart's donation hit social media, Hyde-Smith's critics began to call for the company to take a stand. Actress Debra Messing amplified these calls by tweeting the retail titan, NBC News reports.
Hi Debra. Completely understand your concern. Sen. Hyde-Smith’s recent comments clearly do not reflect the values of our company and associates. As a result, we are withdrawing our support and requesting a refund of all campaign donations.
— Walmart (@Walmart) November 20, 2018
The company's official account replied to Messing, announcing, "We are withdrawing our support and requesting a refund of all campaign donations." It also claimed it wasn't aware of Hyde-Smith's statements.
Popular Information revealed several other major companies, including Google, Union Pacific, Leidos and Boston Science had given the Republican thousands of dollars.
Google's $5,000 donation was recorded on November 13, after Hyde-Smith made her lynching comment. The tech company claimed it sent its contribution before Hyde-Smith made her remarks. It further claims it would not have donated to her had it known about the comments, which were reported by national news outlets.
Union Pacific, Leidos and Boston Scientific all announced Monday they would also request refunds from Hyde-Smith:
Union Pacific in no way, shape or form condones or supports divisive or perceived to be divisive statements. Our contribution was mailed prior to Hyde-Smith's statement being made public. Union Pacific requested a refund of our contribution yesterday.
— Union Pacific (@UnionPacific) November 20, 2018
We were not aware of Senator Hyde-Smith’s remarks when this contribution was made on November 8, and we have requested a refund. We reject the Senator’s statements, which are not aligned with our company’s core values.
— Boston Scientific (@bostonsci) November 19, 2018
A spokesperson for Leidos wrote, "Remarks like those made by Senator Hyde-Smith are offensive and an affront to everything we stand for as a company. The money was sent before the remarks were public."
Hyde-Smith and Espy will face-off for the Senate seat on November 27. Vox reports the Republican is still favored to win by pollsters.
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