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Anheuser-Busch’s chief executive on Friday appeared to respond to the conservative-media backlash to Bud Light’s partnership with a trans influencer, in a statement that contained few specifics or any apologies but noted the “importance of accountability.”
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people,” Chief Executive Brendan Whitworth said in the statement. “We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer.”
“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,” the statement continued. “As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage.”
The statement did not mention the influencer, Dylan Mulvaney, by name. It noted that Anheuser-Busch has “thousands of partners, millions of fans and a proud history supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans and hard-working Americans everywhere.”
The statement appeared to disappoint both liberals and conservatives on social media. Shares of Anheuser-Busch’s parent company, Anheuser Busch InBev
BUD,
were unchanged after hours.
The anger from the right stemmed from videos Mulvaney posted on social media promoting Bud Light. Many conservatives on social media quickly called for a boycott. Analysts have said any impact from those calls is likely to be short-lived. And they note that the beer industry has struggled amid rising interest in self-care and alcohol alternatives.
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