Budweiser releases patriotic ad after backlash over transgender deal

Part of Budweiser's new Clydesdale and Grand Canyon commercial. Photo: @budweiserusa

Budweiser has released a new patriotic ad as it tries to win back customers amid huge backlash over Bud Light's partnership with a transgender influencer.

Bud Light has supported Dylan Mulvaney, a popular artist and social celebrity networks that documented her transformation into a woman on Instagram and TikTok. However, it caused an unprecedented uproar for the company, which was accused of «waking up».

Two shots of Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light Credit Promotion Scanned Images

A new commercial for Budweiser, which like Bud Light is also owned by the Belgian company Anheuser-Busch, marks a turning point in the brand's return to traditional values ​​historically appealing to American workers.

Famous Clydesdale horses are shown galloping gallop in scenes set in the heart of America, such as the Grand Canyon, while the narrator conveys a jingoistic message and displays the stars and stripes.

"This story is more than just beer" says the ad narrator. "This is the story of the American spirit."

Budweiser Clydesdale in the new advertising. Credit: Budweiser @budweiserusa

The Mulvaney partnership resulted in significant financial losses for Anheuser-Busch as calls, including from celebrities such as Kid Rock, to boycott beer distribution across the country.

Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, first touched on the controversy last Friday by issuing a statement saying the company never intended to separate people.

From the new Budweiser patriotic ad. Photo: Budweiser @budweiserusa

«We have thousands of partners, millions of fans and a proud history of supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans and hardworking Americans around the world.» Mr Whitworth said. "We never intended to engage in a discussion that divides people. We're in the business of bringing people together for a beer"

He didn't talk directly about the backlash, but instead talked about traditional values ​​and a «pro-American stance"».

"You can't put the genie back in the bottle, guys" tweeted "Rambo" and Black Hawk Down. actor Matthew Marsden.

You can't put this genie back in the bottle, guys. https://t.co/5Vfd945elc

— Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden) Apr 16, 2023 we flyers run to the store to salute 12 packs of Bud Light instead you should just apologize. Hoping we're stupid enough to buy this ad is insulting" Brandon Morse, senior editor at the conservative Red State website, tweeted.

Hey @AnheuserBusch if you're literally referring to 9/11 in the hope it's will make us flyover rednecks run to the store to greet 12 packs of Bud Light, instead you should just apologize. Hoping we're stupid enough to buy this ad is insulting. https://t.co/p1HpTqqdXe

— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) April 16, 2023

In 2020, Budweiser was embroiled in a controversy over plans to place a 450-foot-tall advertisement over a wind turbine in Wales over concerns it might distract passing drivers.