BREAKING NEWS: Anheuser-Busch CEO breaks silence after Bud Light’s partnership with trans TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney drew backlash: ‘We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people’
The US CEO of Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch has broken his silence to address polarization over the company’s marketing partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
‘We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer,’ CEO Brendan Whitworth said in a public statement on Friday.
Aside from an initial terse statement, Anheuser-Busch had remained silent since the controversy emerged on April 1, when conservative Bud Light fans questioned why Mulvaney had been tapped to promote the bestselling beer on a TikTok channel she created to document her gender transition.
In the meantime, the controversy took on a bizarre life of its own, with musician Kid Rock posting a video of himself shooting at cases of Bud Light, and country singers John Rich and Travis Tritt publicly denouncing the brand.
And there has been counter-backlash, with shock jock Howard Stern slamming the fury at Bud Light as overblown, and podcaster Joe Rogan calling the conservative outrage over Mulvaney ‘goofy.’
Anheuser-Busch is led by US CEO Brendan Whitworth, a former Marine lieutenant, CIA officer, and Harvard Business School graduate, who joined A-B in 2014
In his statement on Friday, CEO Whitworth, a former Marine lieutenant, CIA officer, and Harvard Business School graduate, did not directly address the Mulvaney partnership or issue an apology.
Instead, he signaled a desire to move away from divisive subjects, saying, ‘I am responsible for ensuring every consumer feels proud of the beer we brew.’
‘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. As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage.
‘I care deeply about this country, this company, our brands and our partners. I spend much of my time traveling across America, listening to and learning from our customers, distributors and others.
‘Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation,’ the statement added.
Developing story, more to follow.
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