Donald Trump has criticized the producers of Bud Light for catering to “the radical Left” after employing a notorious transgender influencer to promote the popular beer.
Anheuser-Busch was criticized by the former president for hiring Dylan Mulvaney after he garnered notoriety for capturing his gender transition on TikTok.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lauded a conservative writer. Recently, the author referred to the ad campaign as “a savvy, clueless, incredibly stupid miscalculation.”
‘It’s time to beat the Radical Left at their own game. Money does talk—Anheuser-Busch now understands that. Great new Book by Wayne Allyn Root. Buy your copy today!’ Trump declared.
‘The Great Patriot Protest & Boycott Book’ was written by Root two years ago, and he has long been a devoted admirer of the 45th president of the United States.
Root urges consumers to “defund leftist woke companies.”
‘In short, conservatives and patriots must wield the power of the purse. Money talks. We have the power to change the direction of this country by changing the direction of corporate policy,’ Root proclaimed.
As a tribute to her “365 days of being a girl,” Mulvaney received a commemorative Bud Light can bearing her image, which sparked a heated debate.
In December 2022, Mulvaney underwent invasive facial feminization surgery after announcing her intention to transition the year prior.
In the gruesome procedure, the facial bones of the patient are removed and sanded down in an effort to soften their masculine features.
Conservatives and rational people, on the other hand, were outraged by the PR stunt and accused the company of interfering in one of the most contentious culture war issues.
Instantaneously, more than one-fifth of the beer’s sales dropped, raising concerns that the boycott would have a lasting negative impact.
The video caused Anheuser-Busch to lose $6 billion in market value in just six days.
The market value of the brewing giant was $113.33 billion, and the stock was trading at a decline of approximately 5 percent.
Additionally, Bud Light dollar sales decreased by 6% in the week following the video’s release, while Coors Light and Miller Lite dollar sales increased.
Brendan Whitworth, president of Anheuser-Busch InBev’s U.S. operations, expressed contrition on April 14 for the division caused by the company’s cooperation with Mulvaney.
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people,” Whitworth opined. “We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.”
Alissa Heinerscheid, vice president of marketing for Bud Light, and Daniel Blake, vice president of marketing for Budweiser, were both placed on leave at the end of April as a result of receiving death threats.
After Kid Rock discharged a machine gun at Bud Light cans and remarked, “F*** Bud Light and F*** Anheuser-Busch,” he was arrested. Other notable figures criticized the company’s decision to use the phrase “Have a great day.”
AdAge reported that Bud Light vice president of marketing Alissa Heinerscheid has taken a leave of absence and will be replaced by Budweiser vice president of global marketing Todd Allen. Additionally, the company has engaged two consultants with experience in the conservative circles of Washington, D.C. to advise the brand moving forward.
Origin Advocacy consultants Sean McLean and Emily Lynch have been brought on to advise “general policy regarding the alcohol-beverage industry,” according to lobbying disclosure reports filed to the U.S. Senate on April 1.
McLean served in the administration of former President Donald Trump. He also served as a member of Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s legislative staff. Lynch previously worked as a policy aide for Republican Representative Virginia Foxx and former Senator Kelly Ayotte. FOX Business sought comment from Anheuser-Busch and McLean.
More on this story via The Republic Brief:
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth published a lengthy statement hoping to tamp down the animosity aimed at Bud Light and its parent company. CONTINUE READING…