Anheuser-Busch, one of the largest beer companies in the world, is facing major backlash after featuring the face of a famous transgender actress on its product, Bud Light. According to reports by CBS and other media outlets, the company incurred massive losses of $6 billion due to the move.
Last month, transgender actress Dillon Mullaney posted a short video on Instagram, showing off a beer can with her face on it. She said, “To celebrate my one year of being a woman, Bud Light sent me a gift.” However, the video quickly received negative reactions from conservative consumers who accused the company of promoting propaganda.
In response to the backlash, country singer John Rich, who owns a bar, announced that he would stop selling Bud Light in his establishment. Similarly, musician Kid Rock shared a video on social media in which he shot at a can of Bud Light with a gun, along with the caption “F*** Bud Light.”
Anheuser-Busch attempted to defend itself by stating that it was just one of the cans given to hundreds of influencers. However, the move backfired and only fueled the anger of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. The company’s sales dropped by over 25% following the incident, resulting in a loss of over $6 billion in market value.
The backlash shows how companies must be careful when addressing sensitive social issues, especially when it comes to minority groups. By ignoring these groups, companies risk facing significant financial and reputational damage.
