Anheuser Busch Responds To Dylan Mulvaney ‘s Claim Of Abandonment Amid Bud Light Backlash
In a world where social media influencers hold significant sway, their partnerships with brands can often lead to both positive and negative outcomes. Recently, a controversy involving Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender social media influencer, and Bud Light, a popular beer brand, has stirred significant attention and debate. Mulvaney revealed in a heartfelt TikTok video that she felt unsupported by Bud Light after facing a torrent of right-wing backlash over an Instagram video she posted, in which she promoted the beer brand. Today, we delve into the details surrounding this controversy and explore the implications it has for both Mulvaney and the wider transgender community.
The Outrage and Backlash
Mulvaney’s sponsored video for Bud Light, released in April, generated an immediate backlash from conservative politicians and personalities. They called for a boycott of the beer company, criticizing its decision to partner with a transgender influencer. The controversy quickly spread across social media platforms, with individuals sharing videos of themselves pouring out, destroying, or even shooting cans of Bud Light. In a distressing turn of events, facilities owned by Anheuser-Busch, the parent company of Bud Light, received bomb threats.
Mulvaney’s Fear and Isolation
Addressing the controversy for the first time in her TikTok video, Mulvaney expressed the profound impact it had on her life. She admitted to experiencing fear and isolation as a result of the relentless harassment she faced. Mulvaney revealed that she lived in constant fear, with people monitoring her movements and subjecting her to public ridicule. These circumstances left her afraid to leave her home for months, highlighting the severe toll the controversy took on her mental and emotional well-being.
A Cry for Support
In her video, Mulvaney emphasized her disappointment in Bud Light’s response to the backlash. She claimed that the brand did not reach out to her as the outrage escalated, and she criticized its lack of a strong stance against the transphobic and hateful comments directed at her. Mulvaney suggested that the brand’s failure to publicly support her sends a message that customers are permitted to express discriminatory views without consequence. She contended that such behavior is even worse than not hiring a transgender person at all, as it perpetuates a culture of intolerance.
Anheuser-Busch’s Response
When contacted for a statement, a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch conveyed the company’s ongoing commitment to partnering with organizations in the LGBTQ+ community. However, the spokesperson did not address whether representatives from the company had reached out to Mulvaney amidst the controversy. The spokesperson emphasized that employee and partner safety and privacy are always the company’s top priority.
The Impact and Consequences
Mulvaney expressed astonishment at how a single promotional Instagram video, created to commemorate her gender transition, could trigger such an intense and widespread response. She also voiced concern for other transgender individuals who might face similar forms of abuse and discrimination. Mulvaney highlighted that the hatred she experienced extends beyond her own ordeal, with severe consequences for the entire transgender community.
Moving Forward with Resilience
Despite the challenges she faced, Mulvaney encouraged her followers to remain resilient and celebrate themselves and their community during Pride Month. She urged them to support transgender advocacy organizations, emphasizing the importance of unity and solidarity. Mulvaney concluded her video by revealing that she still possesses the Bud Light can that ignited the controversy, although she has kept it hidden in her home for safekeeping since filming the April video.
