In a recent turn of events, Anheuser-Busch heir Billy Busch has offered to buy back the Bud Light brand following a contentious controversy involving transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. This move comes on the heels of a significant drop in market value and widespread criticism of the company’s recent advertising strategy.
The controversy was sparked by an ad featuring Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender actor, promoting Bud Light. The ad sparked significant backlash, leading to a reported $27 billion decrease in the company’s value. Responding to the uproar, Busch made a public offer to repurchase the Bud Light brand from its current owners, AB InBev.
Busch appeared on “Hannity,” where he stated that the Mulvaney-Bud Light ad controversy “was a huge mistake”. He suggested that the founders of Anheuser-Busch would be “rolling over in their graves” at the partnership. According to Busch, the company’s decision to involve itself in politics was “not wise,” and its advertising strategy went against traditional American values.
He told conservative influencer Tomi Lahren, “Sell it to me. I’ll be the first in line to buy that brand back from you, and we’ll make that brand great again.”
“We’ve always cared very, very much about the people in America. What made this company great was America, of course.”
After Bud Light’s epic collapse, Anheuser-Busch Heir Billy Busch tells @TomiLahren he wants to buy the company BACK from InBev, and Make Bud Light Great Again! pic.twitter.com/1vKUNoSJ5g
— OutKick (@Outkick) August 16, 2023
The heir to the Anheuser-Busch fortune expressed his dismay at the company’s decision to use a transgender individual to advertise Bud Light. He argued that such a move was not in line with the brand’s identity, implying that it had strayed from its roots.
By offering to buy back the brand, Busch hopes to restore Bud Light’s reputation and standing in the market. His proposal has ignited discussions about the role of politics and social issues in advertising and the potential consequences of these decisions on a brand’s value and consumer loyalty.
Whether or not AB InBev will consider Busch’s offer remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that this controversy has brought to light the complexities of navigating social and political issues in today’s business world. With the future of Bud Light hanging in the balance, the industry will be watching closely as this saga continues to unfold.
Bret
August 16, 2023 at 5:14 pm
I think bud light needs new owners, new advertising and a new name.
James D.
August 16, 2023 at 8:04 pm
Doesn’t matter. Damage has been done. Nobody will buy the beer regardless of who owns it, how they advertise or what the name is. Americans are sick to death of transvestites and them all in our children’s faces. Screw that. Never again.
Bob
August 16, 2023 at 5:37 pm
I hope Billy buys it back and that the other companies who have and will inevitably make this same mistake… are taken to task by their shareholders and forced to align with the majority in America. I am far from being within that majority, but I understood business needs to play to the strength of average Americans. I don’t share their religious beliefs, but at least I understand them. Have never been so aligned with average Americans as I am now… being massively against what is currently being done to children in this country.
Dem Slayer
August 16, 2023 at 8:07 pm
You sound just like a RINO. Vote Republican if you’re serious. Otherwise, your opinion is moot.
Kamikazecowboy
August 16, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Lol and new horses for a water source, its always been a horsepiss carbonated beverage, using a mentally handicaped alphabet mafia drag boi for a posterchild sealed their fate. Nothing would ever make that worth buying again ,except burning it to the ground and starting over at the bottom
Mark
August 16, 2023 at 6:16 pm
If AB wants to be so patriotic now, why did they sell out to InBev which is a foreign conglomerate (Belgium). I personally stopped buying AB products at that time and switched to local microbrews which are much better anyway and it supports the local economy.
Chipper
August 17, 2023 at 8:12 am
Amazing. I was thinking the same thing.
Joe
August 16, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Don’t waste your time because we aren’t buying Bud again. The insane Left likes to mess with the people but we the people hold the real Power. Go woke and STAY broke.
Cheryl Kublouski
August 16, 2023 at 8:01 pm
So he trashes ABIB, then asks if he can buy it? Nice sales strategy there guy. I’m sure they’d love to sell it back to you, NOT.
Paul4756
August 16, 2023 at 8:55 pm
Sounds good, but in the meantime, please continue to boycott the queer beer. Please do it for your children’s sake.
Bob
August 16, 2023 at 9:14 pm
Totally agree Paul.
Noneed
August 16, 2023 at 9:00 pm
They better put a Hooters Girl as a spokes person, because just due to a new owner the damage is already been done to take and turn this around will be monumental
Drosack
August 16, 2023 at 11:45 pm
Don’t waste your money…
Mustafa
August 17, 2023 at 12:51 am
Throw rocks at the bud light trucks!!!
Rick
August 17, 2023 at 8:10 am
Billy doesn’t have to buy it. AB needs to admit to a mistake, apologize to its customer, return to its original self, and pledge to never do this again.
Janet
August 18, 2023 at 11:31 am
You are absolutely right that Billy Busch doesn’t have to buy it back, but I think that he wants to right the wrong. As I recall, young progressive, leftists advertisers were responsible for the ad and i t didn’t appear that they consulted with Billy, shareholders, or others before producing and releasing the ad. It was definitely disgusting and offensive to the majority of the American public and AB found out the hard way. There is no telling whether he can bring back Bud Light as a favorite of so many Americans or not. I know that it was what I bought and drank for many years and finding a replacement has resulted in buying and having to drink beers that I end up finding that I don’t care for. I hope that everyone involved in the process that led to the creating and releasing the ad lost their jobs and that the department has been rebuilt with the focus on American values. To even think that the majority of those who drank BL would approve of such an ad is insane! I wish him luck and hope that he is successful in his endeavor. I can’t see where the company that bought BL can successfully market the beer.
Diaz
August 17, 2023 at 10:42 am
Regardless of your opinion on LGBTQ et al, can’t deny the PR mistake. -$27 billion ! Not correcting the mistake warrants stockholders’ revolt and corporate decapitation. I’m a stockholder. How the hell can a beer company lose money ?