TheQuartering [5/16/2023]
Republican lawmakers have slammed brewer Anheuser-Busch for wading into politics over their partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Republican Ralph Norman hit back at the company over their decision to have Mulvaney, 26, promote their product.
Norman told Fox News: ‘If there’s ever a case for a corporation to stay away from this type of issue – they made beer the last time I checked.
‘They don’t make policy. If they want to make policy, get into politics. If they believe in it that strongly. I’m surprised that’s it’s just 12 percent.
Norman continued: ‘There are a lot of past consumers of Bud Light who will never drink another Bud Light beer in their life, including me.’
Republican Mark Alford also told the news site : ‘Anytime that companies weigh in on issues involving culture and wokeism, it is a big risk.’
The brewer came under fire after their stunt with transgender influencer Mulvaney in April sparked a furious response from conservatives.
Mulvaney shared images of herself with a personalized can celebrating one year since she transitioned as well as posed with cans of the beer in a bathtub.
The brand where accused of meddling in one of the most hot-button culture war issues there is.
Anheuser-Busch’s CEO Michael Doukaris tried to play down the campaign with Mulvaney.
He told an earnings call: ‘We need to clarify the facts that this was one can, one influencer, one post and not a campaign.’
Investors were also told by Doukeris that Bud Light will triple its marketing spend this summer in a bid to woo customers back to the tarnished brand.
Earlier this month a letter was sent to retailers, bars and restaurants by Grey Eagle – which distributes Anheuser-Busch products around St Louis, Missouri.
It said: ‘Anheuser-Busch did not intend to create controversy or make a political statement.