Bud Light Faces $20 Billion Loss and Public Backlash as Transgender Influencer Dylan Mulvaney Turns on Them
In a shocking turn of events, Bud Light has suffered a staggering $20 billion loss since joining forces with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for an advertising campaign in April.
Mulvaney Turns on Bud Light
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Mulvaney, 26, took to Instagram to express her disappointment in Bud Light for not standing by her during the past few months. She stated, “I was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did. I’ve been scared to leave my house. For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all.”
Mulvaney further emphasized the damaging effects this situation could have, stating, “It gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want. There should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us. I have been ridiculed in public, I’ve been followed, and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
In a video, Mulvaney mentioned that she lost a can sent to her by Bud Light, which was meant to commemorate her “365 days of womanhood.” She claimed to have hidden it so well that she couldn’t find it. Mulvaney jokingly suggested that once she finds it, the can should go in a museum behind bullet-proof glass.
Bud Light Responds
Responding to Mulvaney’s remarks, Bud Light’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch, issued a brief statement. The brand did not mention Mulvaney by name but affirmed its commitment to programs and partnerships with various communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. The statement emphasized the company’s dedication to the privacy and safety of its employees and partners and its focus on brewing great beer for consumers.
Bud Light’s Betrayal
The New York Post reported that Bud Light experienced a significant decline in sales, dropping 28.5% compared to the same period last year in the week ending on June 17. This decline follows the Mulvaney ad campaign and a boycott launched by conservatives.
Daniel Korschun, an associate professor of marketing at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, noted the impact of Bud Light’s missteps on both liberal and conservative customers, stating, “Bud Light’s missteps felt like a betrayal to both its liberal and conservative customers, and that trust is going to take months, if not years, to rebuild.”
The boycott continues to negatively affect Bud Light’s sales, with the brand losing its position as the most sold beer in the United States to Modelo Especial, owned by Constellation Brands.
The Future for Bud Light
Mulvaney’s recent video further demonstrates the challenges Bud Light faces, with both sides distancing themselves from the brand. The saying “go woke, go broke” seems to have become a reality for Bud Light, and it remains uncertain whether the brand can recover from the damage it has incurred.
As the fallout from the Mulvaney campaign continues, it is crucial to support and share reliable sources and engage in conversations that promote understanding and inclusivity.
Sources:
- Daily Mail – Dylan Mulvaney breaks silence on Bud Light with tears
- The New York Post – Bud Light sees biggest decline in sales since Dylan Mulvaney
- Fox Business – Anheuser-Busch responds to Dylan Mulvaney controversy
- The New York Times – Bud Light faces backlash in wake of LGBTQ+ ad campaign
- The Political Insider – Anheuser-Busch CEO’s stance on Dylan Mulvaney
- The Political Insider – Bud Light’s desperate effort to win back customers
