Anheuser-Busch heir says ancestors would be ‘rolling over in their grave’ over Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney ad
Anheuser-Busch heir says ancestors would be ‘rolling over in their grave’ over Bud Light’s Dylan Mulvaney ad
Billy Busch said he believes his ancestors would be disappointed in Bud Light’s ad campaign with Dylan Mulvaney
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Anheuser-Busch heir Billy Busch blasted Bud Light over the controversy stemming from its brief partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Bud Light faced intense criticism after announcing in the spring that it was partnering with Mulvaney in a campaign aimed at inclusiveness that included Mulvaney’s face on Bud Light cans. Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light’s parent company, lost billions in market value after the partnership.
In an interview with TMZ on Friday, Busch told host Harvey Levin that he believes his ancestors would be disappointed in the Mulvaney ad campaign.
“I think my family — my ancestors would have rolled over in their graves,” Busch said. “They believed that transgender, gays, that sort of thing was all a very personal issue. They loved this country because it is a free country and people are allowed to do what they want, but it was never meant to be on a beer can and never meant to be pushed in people’s faces.”
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A picture of the commemorative Bud Light can featuring TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney. (Dylan Mulvaney/Instagram)
The TMZ host pointed out that the reason behind the ad campaign was inclusiveness, and Busch was asked about his response to the public’s reaction to an Instagram post featuring Mulvaney and the can.
“You know, I think people who drink beer, I think they’re your common folk. I think they are the blue-collar worker who goes and works hard every single day,” Busch said. “The last thing they want pushed down their throat or to be drinking is a beer can with that kind of message on it. I just don’t think that’s what they’re looking for. They want their beer to be truly American, truly patriotic, as it always has been. Truly, America’s beer, which Bud Light was and probably isn’t any longer.”
When pressed on why he does not believe the beer is American anymore, Busch said he does not think the audience drinking beer “is into transgenders … People who drink beer care about wholesome things.”
Busch added that he believes beer drinkers are into patriotism and think that “certain things should be kept private.”
Bud Light sales have plummeted since a promotional partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney caused widespread backlash. (Instagram)
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