Anheuser-Busch fires back after Dylan Mulvaney claims she was abandoned during Bud Light backlash
Anheuser-Busch has fired back at Dylan Mulvaney’s claims she was left high and dry in the aftermath of its disastrous campaign with the transgender influencer.
The beermaker, which has taken a $20 billion hit since its partnership with Mulvaney sparked a nationwide boycott, responded to the allegations Thursday after the influencer posted a lengthy video blasting the company for doing nothing to help her as she faced online torment.
The brewing giant said it is “committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community,” a spokesperson told the Daily Beast late Thursday.
The statement did not mention Mulvaney by name.
It came after the 26-year-old social media star posted a video to her 1.8 million Instagram followers earlier Thursday, saying she felt “a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone” and that Anheuser-Busch has done nothing to support her as she’s been ruthlessly dragged through the mud in the months following the failed campaign
“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all,” Mulvaney said in the clip.
“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.”
Anheuser-Busch’s statement comes two days after it denied firing Alissa Heinerscheid, the marketing executive behind Bud Light’s campaign featuring Mulvaney.
Bud Light’s numbers are at their lowest point since the controversy broke, with sales for the week down 28.5% from a year ago.
Bud Light was also dethroned as America’s top-selling beer — with the brand losing its spot to Modelo after it skyrocketed past the brand’s $297 million in sales after 22 years as the nation’s leading beer.
CEO Brendan Whitworth would not address whether the company would ever partner with Mulvaney again when asked on “CBS Mornings” this week.
“Just to be clear, it was a gift and it was one can,” said Whitworth, who has been CEO of Anheuser-Busch for two years.
The US Marine veteran said the company is committed to supporting the LGBTQ community despite the backlash following the Mulvaney campaign.
Anheuser-Busch’s 65,000 employees have also felt the blunt force of the backlash — with many being ridiculed and harassed as the once-iconic brand falls further from grace.
Mulvaney says she has received “more bullying and transphobia than I could have ever imagined” since she posted the promotional video to social media on April 1.
“I’ve been scared to leave my house,” she said.
In an effort to save face value and drive Bud Light’s numbers up, the brand is releasing a special 4th of July offer to its consumers.
The brand said it’d be giving away beer over the holiday with a $15 rebate on purchases of up to $15.
