Walmart's Paul Walker Tweet Draws Backlash, Apology

The Twitterverse didn't love the supposed Comedy Central reference to the late actor
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 17, 2020 6:03 AM CST
Walmart's Paul Walker Tweet Draws Backlash, Apology
In this April 29, 2011, file photo, actor Paul Walker poses during the photo call for the movie "Fast and Furious 5" in Rome.   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

Walmart is likely having a sit-down with its social media staff after its Twitter account caused waves with a post that referenced the late actor Paul Walker. Business Insider has a screenshot of the since-deleted tweet, which came after another Twitter user salivated over a story about Pillsbury cinnamon rolls sold at the retailer. "I NEEDDDD THIS IN MY LIFEEEE!!!" read the original post on the pastries, followed by a GIF of a car speeding and weaving its way through traffic, with the caption: "*me racin to the nearest Wally World*."

Whoever was at the helm of Walmart's Twitter account that day apparently felt compelled to be clever. "Hey, Paul Walker. Click it, or ticket," was the company's response, which included a siren emoji. While many have pointed out that the line is likely a reference to one used in the Comedy Central program Workaholics, others thought it was in bad taste, as Walker died at the age of 40 in a 2013 car crash. Walmart deleted the post and said in a statement to People, "We apologize to Paul Walker's family, friends, and fans. The tweet was posted in poor judgment and has been removed." (More Walmart stories.)

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