Bud Light Responds To Dylan Mulvaney’s Attack

In light of Dylan Mulvaney’s criticism regarding a beer can controversy, Anheuser-Busch responded by taking action. During an earnings call, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Michel Doukeris, discussed the matter without explicitly referring to the transgender influencer, possibly indicating an effort to maintain distance from Mulvaney. Doukeris made it clear that the issue was not part of an organized campaign, leading many to interpret the company’s response as an attempt to dissociate itself from Mulvaney in the face of backlash.

In a statement, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson commented on the situation, attempting to convey their corporate commitment to programs and partnerships with various communities, including the LGBTQ+ community. They emphasized the company’s focus on the privacy and safety of employees and partners, while also expressing their dedication to brewing great beer for everyone and being part of meaningful consumer moments, saying:

“As we’ve said, we remain committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community,”

“The privacy and safety of our employees and our partners is always our top priority. As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best — brewing great beer for everyone and earning our place in moments that matter to our consumers.”

Mulvaney expressed disappointment over the beer company’s failure to reach out to him during the backlash. While Anheuser-Busch issued a general statement supporting the LGBT community, it did not directly acknowledge Mulvaney, leading many to feel that the company abandoned him. Mulvaney would comment, saying:

“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse in my opinion than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want.”

As a result, Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch found themselves in a difficult situation, alienating both the American political right and left. Former loyal customers of Bud Light have chosen to seek alternatives, while many on the left no longer view the company as an ally due to their treatment of Mulvaney.

Despite Anheuser-Busch emphasizing its commitment to diversity and employee safety, the boycott against Bud Light persisted, leading to a decline in sales for the brand. As of June 17, Bud Light remained the top-selling beer in America for the year. However, in the four weeks leading up to that date, Modelo surpassed Bud Light in retail store sales, capturing an 8.4% market share compared to Bud’s 7.3% during the same period.

Alexander J. Williams III