Boycott Update: Is Anheuser-Busch Backpedaling?

“Go woke, go broke”, has become something of a natural law—like gravity or one of the other fundamental forces of physics.

Anheuser-Busch became the latest American company to come face-to-face with this maxim after announcing a highly controversial partnership with transgender activist, Dylan Mulvaney.

Following strong backlash from conservative Americans and a corresponding $5 billion loss in a few, short days, the world’s largest beer distributor issued a lukewarm apology. …

However, the highly diplomatic and sanitized PR response from the company only seemed to draw even more criticism from the right—Anheuser’s core audience.

While their apology seemed to fall flat, the company chose to run a new promotional advertisement utilizing a pro-America message, and featuring their iconic symbol—Clydesdale horses:

pic.twitter.com/T3TVGEzIi0

— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) April 14, 2023

Could this sudden change in messaging be indicative of a deeper effort at Anheuser-Busch to minimize the negative effects of the Mulvaney partnership? Is Anheuser-Busch backpedaling?

Will you continue to support Anheuser even if the company did legitimately change course?

Take a look through these reactions and reports and let me know:

https://twitter.com/PugzRule_/status/1648026817171783680

No Bud Light or Anheuser Busch in our home ever again. I am 100% a woman and I am offended by what you did. Clydesdales are beautiful but what you did crossed the line. Nothing you do will change that.

— Lucy (@Lucy72601795) April 17, 2023

Anheuser Busch actually believes "all is forgiven " because they showed a Clydesdale and spoke about America values?
AB: you really believe we're that stupid?
Actions have consequences.
Enjoy the pain

— Ann Marie (@Political_QRM) April 17, 2023

According to Fox Business, the horses themselves are now a topic of controversy:

Budweiser’s famous Clydesdales, which have been a staple of the company’s advertisements for decades, have also found themselves in the middle of the controversy.

A Budweiser distributor in Missouri canceled all scheduled events to showcase the horses last week amid safety concerns for its employees, the New York Post reported.

“We aren’t going to comment on the issue … everything is still sensitive in social media,” and executive for the distributor told the Post.

 

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I love Clydesdales but I do not love Anheuser Busch.

— SusieQ 🇺🇸 Vaccine Injured 💉😡 (@SDaviesLaird) April 17, 2023

Clydesdales’ Tailbones Amputated by Anheuser-Busch https://t.co/c2nZkkjDNh via @PETA

— Flic (@effeez) April 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/DirtyWhiteBoyz_/status/1648001476935950362

AOL provided a transcript of the commercial:

“Let me tell you a story about a beer rooted in the heart of America,” a gravelly-voiced narrator says as scenes of Budweiser’s trademark Clydesdale horse gallops through the Grand Canyon and underneath the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

“Found in a community where a handshake is a sure contract.

Brewed for those who found opportunity in the challenge and hope in tomorrow.

Raised by generations willing to sip, share, risk, remember. This is a story bigger than beer: this is the story of the American spirit,” the clip concludes.

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