The call for a boycott of Anheuser-Busch, specifically Bud Light, took a turn when Donald Trump, Jr. realized that the company contributes more to conservative political candidates than it does to liberal ones. All of a sudden, all is forgiven and it’s time to move on. Imagine that.
This is why people are so cynical about politics. It reinforces the stereotype that the only thing that truly matters in politics is money. And, in this case, it calls into question Trump, Jr.’s motivation. His father is running for president. Is it all about the potential support of his campaign? Yes, of course, it is. And, there is always the possibility that he may run for office one day. He wants to be on the right side of a major corporation.
He made the point on his podcast. He said the company is too “iconic” to boycott and it has learned its lesson.
“So here’s the deal. Anheuser-Busch totally sh*t the bed with this Dylan Mulvaney thing. I’m not, though, for destroying an American, an iconic company for something like this,” Trump Jr. said.
“When I actually look into it, I’m not gonna blame the whole company for the inaction or the stupidity of someone in a marketing campaign that got woke as hell,” Trump said of the collaboration on Thursday.
“The company itself doesn’t participate in the same leftist nonsense as the other big conglomerates,” Trump said. “Frankly, they don’t participate in the same woke garbage that other people in the beer industry actually do, who are significantly worse offenders when I looked into it. But if they do this again, then it’s on them! Then, screw them.”
Let’s be honest – is Trump, Jr. known for being a calm voice of reason in the midst of controversy, or is he known as a political activist who jumps into controversies, often with knee-jerk reactions? He usually mimics his father’s style of bluster. He’s a fighter. Rawr. Now add to that that he looks like just another rich guy in politics who is most concerned about the money aspect of campaigns, not principles, and that’s where the boycott is shaking out for some conservatives.
Young Don isn’t the only one who is talking about ending the calls for a boycott. The National Republican Congressional Committee that elects Republicans to the House has come to the same conclusion. It has taken down a website that condemned Bud Light. It wasn’t about righteous indignation and supporting companies that appear to have your values. It’s just about the money. The company contributes to the Republican Party and that’s all that really matters here.
CEO Brendan Whitworth issued a non-apology type of apology late last week when the company began to suffer some noticeable losses. He stressed that the company is “part of the fabric of this country.”
We’re honored to be part of the fabric of this country. Anheuser-Busch employs more than 18,000 people and our independent distributors employ an additional 47,000 valued colleagues. We have thousands of partners, millions of fans and a proud history supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans and hard-working Americans everywhere.
No one was questioning the patriotism of Anheuser-Busch. What was questioned and criticized was the bone-headed decision-making in the marketing department. Those decisions have consequences. Nonetheless, Anheuser-Busch went the “hey, we love America” route. That’s a take, I suppose. It avoids taking responsibility for virtue signaling with beer on a hot-button social issue.
Budweiser is out with a new pro-America ad touting values and featuring a Clydesdale horse in the wake of the Mulvaney controversy. Does the tone of the ad remind consumers why they feel good supporting Budweiser or does it continue to anger them for the turn the company took to appeal to a broader market?
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) April 14, 2023
America loves the Clydesdales. Budweiser knows this and even used the beloved horses as an excuse to not get out in public as the controversy with Dylan Mulvaney exploded. The company claimed the Clydesdales and their handlers were threatened so public events with them were canceled.
Anheuser-Busch isn’t technically an American company anymore. It’s a huge multinational conglomerate based overseas.
Bud Light parent Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is a Belgian multinational based in Leuven, Belgium. It has approximately 630 beer brands in 150 countries.
Reports indicate the company has suffered a financial hit in the wake of its Mulvaney endorsement. US bar owners, stores, and distributors are all reporting severe sales declines on Bud Light, and celebrities like Kid Rock, Travis Tritt, and John Rich have all publicly condemned the Bud Light brand. The A-B marketing head called its former image “fratty.”
Will MAGA follow the reasoning of Trump, Jr. and move on from the boycott? What about non-MAGA conservatives frustrated with companies promoting woke agendas in order to gain customers? Bud Light has been banned in some bars and restaurants owned by conservative performers, like the ones in Nashville, but other Budweiser beers are still available for sale. The boycott gets a little tricky if you want to punish the parent company, not just a specific product.
I just walked into John Rich’s Redneck Riviera and ordered a Bud Light to see what would happen so you don’t have to. It seems that John has actually banned Bud Light from his bar, but he did not ban Budweiser from his bar. Will report from across the street soon. pic.twitter.com/dIFQ79Hqb8
— Blake Ells (@blakeells) April 13, 2023
I’m going to see a huge country artist named Morgan at the Ryman tonight and I just want to get the facts!
— Blake Ells (@blakeells) April 13, 2023
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