Kid Rock Ends Bud Light Boycott Amidst Trans Influencer Partnership Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, Kid Rock has declared an end to his boycott of Anheuser-Busch, putting aside his differences over the company’s collaboration with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney to promote Bud Light’s Easy Carry Contest. The musician had previously made headlines for his public condemnation of the partnership, citing concerns about supporting what he referred to as the promotion of certain lifestyles.
Kid Rock, who drew media attention back in April for using an assault rifle to shoot multiple cases of Bud Light beer in response to Mulvaney‘s posts on social media, told Tucker Carlson in a new interview: “At the end of the day, when you step back and look at it, like, yeah, they deserved a black eye and they got one. They made a mistake. So, do I want to hold their head under water and drown them because they made a mistake? No, I think they got the message.”
He added: “Hopefully other companies get it too, but at the end of the day, I don’t think the punishment that they’ve been getting at this point fits the crime. I would like to see us back on board and become bigger because that’s the America that I want to live in.”
Rock concluded: “There’s nothing wrong with giving a spanking. You don’t spank them for the rest of their life.”
Last month, during an appearance alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump at UFC 295, Kid Rock claimed to have engaged in a constructive conversation with Anheuser-Busch’s CEO, Brendan Ball Whitworth. He asserted that the company’s support for Mulvaney signaled a stance on polarizing social issues that conflicted with his values, particularly regarding transgender individuals in sports and locker rooms.
In a recent interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Kid Rock clarified his position, stating, “I didn’t want to be in the party of cancel cultures and boycotts that ultimately hurt working-class people.” Despite his initial objections, he acknowledged the impact on Anheuser-Busch employees and opted to move away from the controversy. The musician emphasized his desire to avoid contributing to a cancel culture that adversely affects everyday workers.
While Kid Rock still maintains his outspoken nature, particularly as a Trump supporter, he affirmed his ability to coexist with transgender and gay individuals in public spaces. He urged everyone to be themselves but drew a line at involving children in the discourse, emphasizing the need to protect them from divisive discussions.
The partnership between Bud Light and Mulvaney faced substantial public backlash, contributing to a significant decline in Anheuser-Busch InBev’s revenue and profit in the U.S. over the subsequent three months, with sales falling by more than 10% and core profit dropping by over 28%. Kid Rock’s decision to end the boycott marks a shift in the ongoing debate surrounding corporate partnerships and their impact on social and cultural values.
