Trump asserts role in Giant Eagle price cuts as chain says program was planned earlier
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President Donald Trump claimed credit for Giant Eagle's summer pricing initiative, but the retailer said the discounts were part of a pre-announced program that began before his comments.
President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that his outreach prompted regional supermarket chain Giant Eagle to lower or hold prices on more than 300 frequently purchased items. Giant Eagle, which operates 197 stores across several states, announced the "On Sale This Season" pricing initiative on July 9 as part of its ongoing "Because It Matters" strategy to keep staple prices from rising with inflation.
"We know our customers are seeking value in the face of elevated expenses," said Justin Weinstein, Giant Eagle’s chief marketing officer, when launching the summer program.
A company spokesperson confirmed awareness of the president’s message but emphasized that the initiative had been planned independently, directing consumers to the retailer’s press release for details. The chain was acquired by Kroger in a $1.65 billion deal earlier this month.
Trump also praised Walmart for summer price reductions, claiming the retailer acted at his request. Walmart later told reporters the discounts were part of its regular "Rollback" promotions and had been in effect before Trump’s comments. The White House, through Senior Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai, maintained that the administration was working to ensure savings reached shoppers, although Walmart’s statement made no reference to the president.