(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Donald Trump Jr. took to Rumble in defense of Bud Light, and its parent company Anheuser-Busch, after both companies faced an onslaught of criticism and a $6 billion loss in value over its partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, an embattled transgender TikTok influencer.
“We looked into the political giving and lobbying history of Anheuser-Busch. And guess what? They actually support Republicans,” Trump Jr. said during the live stream of his show “Triggered” on Rumble.
The former first son referred to a source first reported by the Daily Wire claiming senior leadership at both companies were left in the dark about the launch of the transgender partnership. “No one at the senior level” approved the advertisement campaign, the Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra reported on April 12.
“This could be just the act of one rouge, woke, lunatic in a marketing department filled with leftist staffers,” he continued. “The Daily Wire is now reporting that no one in senior level at Anheuser-Busch was aware of the partnership with Dylan Mulvaney.”
Trump Jr. also cited Anheuser-Busch’s donations to Republican politicians in an attempt to call off the conservative-led boycott of Bud Light.
“Last cycle their employees and their PAC gave about 60 percent to Republicans and 40 percent to Democrats,” the former first son said. “That’s literally almost unheard of in corporate America, where it’s really easy to go woke, where they do so constantly, where there’s a consequence to actually being a conservative. So 60/40 to the conservative side is kind of a big deal.”
Trump Jr.’s comments appear to contradict previous pro-LGBT campaigns led by Bud Light and a statement from a Bud Light marketing executive who admitted that the transgender partnership was a deliberate affront to the brand’s loyal consumers. “If we do not attract young drinkers to come and drink this brand, there will be no future for Bud Light,” the executive said in an interview.
Headline USA also reported that Bud Light previously released “limited-edition pronoun-inspired” canned beers to honor LGBT pride month in 2022.
Bud Light’s partnership with the transgender influencer prompted widespread condemnation from its conservative consumers and voices that left the company with a $6.6 billion loss in value, prompting Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth to issue an apology.
“I am responsible for ensuring every consumer feels proud of the beer we brew. We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another,” he said. “As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage.
— Anheuser-Busch (@AnheuserBusch) April 14, 2023
Withworth’s statement did little to appease conservative critics who accuse both Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch of propping up transgender ideology to U.S. consumers, Headline USA previously reported.
“[Anheuser Busch’s response] is just as clumsy and stupid as the marketing stunt that got them into this mess in the first place,” said What is a woman? director and Daily Wire podcast’s Matt Walsh said.
Anheuser Busch has finally released a statement, and it’s just as clumsy and stupid as the marketing stunt that got them into this mess in the first place. pic.twitter.com/XUndM2b6qh
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) April 14, 2023
“Way too late […] #BoycottBudLight,” MIGS director Greg J. Marchand MD similarly said, calling on consumers to stop buying the pro-transgender beer.
Dear #BrendanWhitworth,
Way too late. All we want now are rapidly circulated lists of all #AnheuserBusch products so we can continue the boycott until your bankrupt Belgian bosses sell the company back to a US based owner. We may be willing to talk with them.#BoycottBudLight pic.twitter.com/WiEySKDsEQ
— Greg J. Marchand MD (@MarchandSurgery) April 14, 2023
