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NEW YORK (AP) — Bud Light is set to return as the official beer of the UFC in the U.S. next year as the brand tries to recover from a conservative backlash to a promotion with a transgender influencer. Under a new multiyear marketing deal between the promoter of mixed martial arts fights and Bud Light maker Anheuser-Busch, the brewer will become the UFC's “Official Beer Partner” in the U.S. starting Jan. 1, the two companies announced. Bud Light has also faced backlash from Mulvaney’s supporters and LGBTQ+ rights groups, who say the company didn’t do enough to support her. In June, Bud Light lost its place as America’s best-selling beer after more than two decades, slipping into second place behind Mexican lager Modelo Especial. As Bud Light sales plunged, Anheuser-Busch InBev reported a 10.5% fall in U.S. revenue for this year's second quarter.

Persons: Bud Light, Dana White, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Bud, Stella Artois, Corona Organizations: UFC, Anheuser, Busch, InBev, Bloomberg, Crypto.com, Modelo Especial, Constellation Brands, Busch InBev, Bud Light Locations: U.S

☆ Budweiser won’t cut off the tails of its famous Clydesdale horses
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —PETA said it’s “cracking open some cold ones” after Anheuser-Busch said it’s ending the practice of cutting the tails of Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdale horses. Budweiser has featured the horses, with their ubiquitous white feathered legs, in its ad campaigns for decades, from the holidays to the Super Bowl. But the practice of “docking,” which is when the tail’s hair is cut short and which can result in parts of the tailbone being shaved off, has long been under fire from animal rights groups. The American Veterinary Medical Association said the practice has become “cosmetically fashionable” in some breeds for competitions or shows. At least ten states have banned the docking of horses’ tails, the AVMA said.

Persons: Busch, it’s, ”, “, influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, PETA, Anheuser, Clydesdale, Budweiser, Super, Veterinary Medical Association Locations: New York

☆ Fact Check-US swimmer did not reject ‘$3 million partnership with Nike’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former competitive swimmer Riley Gaines has not rejected a multimillion-dollar partnership with Nike on account of the brand being “woke.” The claim shared online stems from a parody website. Regardless, the claim was taken seriously online with one Facebook user sharing the image with the caption, “Go WOKE...go Broke....” (here). The meme was first shared by the official America’s Last Line of Defense Facebook page (here). Gaines previously spoke out against Nike for its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April (here), (here). Swimmer Riley Gaines has not turned down a $3 million contract with Nike.

Persons: Riley Gaines, “, Gaines, “ Riley Gaines, “ I’m, “ Go, “ Dunning, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Clay Travis, Buck Sexton, Read Organizations: Nike, Riley Gaines Center, Leadership Institute, Reuters, University of Kentucky, Defense, “ Dunning Kruger Times

☆ Bud Light controversy cost AB InBev about $395 million in lost US sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —The world’s largest brewer is counting the costs of being swept into a controversy over Bud Light in the United States. AB InBev said Thursday that US revenue fell 10% in the second quarter as sales of its top brand slumped. AB InBev responded by saying it took its responsibilities to investors seriously. “Most consumers surveyed are favorable towards the Bud Light brand and approximately 80% are favorable or neutral,” the drinks maker added. Like many other businesses, AB InBev has rolled out cost-cutting measures this year, as it seeks to defend its global lead.

Persons: Bud Light, Bud, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Kid Rock, Ron DeSantis, ”, Mulvaney, Michel Doukeris, Stella Artois, — Juliana Liu Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, InBev, Revenue, Florida, Bud Light, Modelo Locations: Hong Kong, United States, North America, Canada, Belgian, Corona, China, Brussels, South Africa, Colombia

☆ Here’s how Bud Light became the latest corporate bogeyman for Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Partnering with a young, popular trans woman could help a brand like Bud Light reach a more youthful demographic. But because Bud Light managed to alienate everyone, it hasn’t gotten the benefit of a buycott. In the week ending on July 8, Bud Light sales, by dollar, fell nearly 24% year-over-year, according to data provided by Williams. Others are more breezy, showing people enjoying Bud Light despite the inconveniences of summer (sunburn, thunderstorm). Bud Light is “coming back,” said Marcel Marcondes, AB InBev’s chief marketing officer, during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Bud, BUD, “, Mulvaney, Lamar Taylor, “ prudently, DeSantis, Taylor, Scott Olson, Bud Light’s, Dylan Mulvaney, Anheuser Bush, — Anheuser, Brendan Whitworth, ”, LIV, Rob Carr, buycotts, hasn’t, Bump Williams, Williams, Busch, Whitworth, ” Whitworth, Marcel Marcondes, ” Daniel Korschun, ” Korschun, Erin Reed, Elon Musk, he’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Florida Gov, Republican, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch InBev, State Board of Administration, AB InBev, CNN, Busch, “ Anheuser, Gallup, — Anheuser Busch’s, America, Trump National Golf Club, Modelo Especial, InBev’s, Cannes Lions International, Creativity, Drexel University, InBev, Republicans, Target, Twitter, Tesla, Disney Locations: New York, Florida, Sterling , Virginia, Central Florida

☆ Fact Check-Claims about Dylan Mulvaney lawsuit against Kid Rock stem from satire site
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Claims that a lawsuit by transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney against singer Kid Rock was “dismissed with prejudice” originated on a satirical website, and there is no evidence that such a lawsuit exists, although some social media posts omit that context. Some posts online shared an article from satirical website The Dunning-Kruger Times with the headline, “Laughed Out of Court: Dylan Mulvaney’s $70 Million Lawsuit Against Kid Rock Dismissed With Prejudice” (tinyurl.com/3c78xdjs). Other posts, however, shared the claim as fact, without reference to the original article (here), (tinyurl.com/sp9xzmrn). No credible sources have reported that a lawsuit by Mulvaney against Kid Rock was dismissed, or that such a lawsuit exists (tinyurl.com/2b2rbxam). Claims about a lawsuit by Dylan Mulvaney against Kid Rock originated from a satirical website.

Persons: influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Kid Rock, “, ”, Dunning, Dylan Mulvaney’s, Rock, Bud Light, Mulvaney’s, tomfoolery ”, dunning, kruger, Bud, Dylan Mulvaney, Read Organizations: Kruger Times, Bud Light, Mulvaney, Defense, Reuters

☆ Dylan Mulvaney says Bud Light’s backlash response was ‘worse than not hiring a trans person at all’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Dylan Mulvaney on Thursday broke her silence about the fallout that occurred after the trans influencer made two Instagram posts sponsored by Bud Light earlier this year. Bud Light’s sponsorship of an April 1 Instagram post by Mulvaney set off a firestorm of anti-trans backlash and calls for a boycott. But later it released a vague statement from the CEO that failed to offer support for Mulvaney or the trans community. The Bud Light backlash also coincided with anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns against other big brands, including Target. “I think the conversation surrounding Bud Light has moved away from beer, and the conversation has become divisive, and Bud Light really does not belong there, Bud Light should be about bringing people together,” Whitworth said.

Persons: New York CNN — Dylan Mulvaney, Bud Light, Bud Light’s, Mulvaney, ” Mulvaney, Bud, Brendan Whitworth, ” Whitworth, I’ve, ” –, Danielle Wiener, Bronner Organizations: New, New York CNN, American Civil Liberties Union, UCLA School of Law, Target, Bud Light, Anheuser, Busch, CBS, CNN Locations: New York

☆ Bud Light loses its title as America’s top-selling beer
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —America’s top-selling beer is no longer American. Modelo Especial, the Mexican lager brewed near Mexico City by Constellation Brands, became the top-selling beer in May, overthrowing Bud Light from the top spot it has held for more than two decades. The fall from the top further highlighted how much trouble the Anheuser-Busch brand is in following transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s Instagram post showing off a customized Bud Light can. Dollar sales were equally grim for Bud Light during that period, with sales falling 24.4%, while Modelo’s grew 12.2%. Modelo Especial overtook Bud Light sales in May.

Persons: New York CNN —, Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s, Bump Williams, ” Williams, Justin Sullivan, Williams, Greg Gallagher, ”, BUD, Bud Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — America’s, Modelo Especial, Constellation Brands, Anheuser, Busch, Modelo, “, CNN, Modelo Oro, Bud Light, Cinco de Mayo, Mulvaney Locations: New York, Mexico City, Cinco de, Belgium

☆ Fact Check-Miller Lite beer owned by Molson Coors, not Anheuser-Busch or AB InBev
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Beer brand Miller Lite is owned by Molson Coors Beverage Co, not Anheuser-Busch InBev. Posts online sharing a Miller Lite campaign video from March falsely claim the brand is owned by AB InBev. In April, transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s sponsorship with Bud Light, a beer brand owned by Anheuser-Busch triggered a conservative backlash (here). A Molson Coors spokesperson said the company is separate from AB InBev and confirmed Miller Lite beer is a Molson Coors brand. Miller Lite beer is owned by Molson Coors Beverage Co, not Anheuser-Busch InBev.

☆ Fact Check-Satire article about Anheuser-Busch closing half its US breweries taken seriously
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light’s parent company, has received criticism from conservatives following its collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. But it is not closing half of its breweries in the U.S., contrary to claims shared online that have stemmed from a satirical article. Anheuser-Busch has 12 breweries in the United States (here), and as of this article’s publication, Reuters found no public announcements that half are shutting down. The claim that Anheuser-Busch is closing half of its breweries in the U.S. stems from a satirical article. This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team.

☆ It's 'too early' to asses any potential Bud Light backlash, Anheuser-Busch CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

He focused attention on the company’s global reach, saying that Bud Light is just one beer within its portfolio and it’s not changing the company’s full-year outlook. He also reiterated that the Mulvaney post wasn’t an ad campaign, and blasted the “misinformation” surrounding the sponsored post. The video went viral, with some responding with anti-trans rhetoric and calls for a Bud Light boycott. The week prior, Bud Light revenue was down 17%, even as sales of rivals Miller Lite and Coors Light increased. The company said it is going to increase investment in Bud Light as it continues to deal with sagging sales.

☆ Bud Light wanted to market to all. Now, it's alienating everyone
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York CNN —For years, Bud Light leaned on jokey ad campaigns and its designation as a light beer to push sales. Now, Bud Light finds itself seeking younger drinkers, and stumbling through America’s polarized landscape in the process. There have been calls for a Bud Light boycott. And the stock of Bud Light owner Anheuser-Busch (BUD) has fallen only about 3% in the last month, suggesting Wall Street isn’t too worried. Bud Light, he thinks, could be missing out on that type of support.

☆ Transgender Influencer Dylan Mulvaney Speaks Out After Bud Light Controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Dylan Mulvaney’s Bud Light video came under fire from some customers and conservative media outlets. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for PFLAGTransgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney spoke out in a social-media video weeks after her sponsorship with Bud Light ignited calls to boycott the brand, prompting the beer maker to put two executives on leave. “I’ve been offline for a few weeks and a lot has been said about me, some of which is so far from my truth that I was like hearing my name and I didn’t even know who they were talking about sometimes,” she said in a 3½-minute video posted Thursday night.

☆ Leaked Breitbart messages highlight right-wing media struggle over Republican party’s future
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The tense back and forth inside Breitbart reflects a growing tension inside the right-wing media universe writ large — one that could have consequences for national politics. Ahead of the 2024 Republican primary contest, battle lines are starting to be drawn. It’s reminicent of what took place in right-wing media during the 2016 GOP primary season. But the manner in which the biggest mouthpieces in right-wing media cover the looming primary is highly consequential, and could ultimately decide who gets the party’s blessing. Republican primary voters primarily get their news from partisan outlets, such as Breitbart and Fox News, while shunning news from mainstream outlets.

☆ Anheuser-Busch facilities face threats after Bud Light backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Several Anheuser-Busch facilities received threats last week, a company spokesperson confirmed, following weeks of backlash against Bud Light because it sponsored two Instagram posts from a transgender woman. Mulvaney’s timeline shows one previous post that is also marked as a Bud Light partnership. Siegfried Anthony/STAR MAX/IPx 2023/APMulvaney is among many social media personalities that Bud Light partners with, Anheuser-Busch said in a statement to CNN last week. “F**k Bud Light, F**k Anheuser-Busch,” he said. Anheuser-Busch (BUD) is set to report its first-quarter financial results, including revenue, on May 4.

☆ Fact Check-Screenshot saying Bud Light sales are down 80% stems from satire website
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An article about Bud Light sales being down 80 percent and its entire marketing team being fired following the brand’s collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney stems from a satirical website. Mulvaney’s sponsorship with Bud Light triggered a conservative backlash. An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson told Reuters via email that the claim that sales were 80% down was not true. Reuters has debunked other claims related to the Mulvaney, including one saying the company CEO resigned (here), or apologized (here). A screenshot that says Bud Light sales are down 80% stem from a satire article.

☆ Fact Check-Anheuser-Busch stock did not hit 52-week high after boycott over sponsorship with trans influencer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In other posts, users said: “So, while the Qrackheads are out there shootin’ up cases of ‘woke’ Bud Light and puttin’ Coors in their Koozies instead… Anheuser-Busch stock just hit a 52-week high?! However, Reuters data shows that the stock hit a nearly-62-week high on March 31, before the boycott, and since April 1, U.S.-listed Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA shares have dipped. Graphics showing Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA stock prices can be seen on the websites of Reuters (here) and Google Finance (here). Reuters has previously debunked claims related to the Bud Light partnership with Mulvaney (here), (here), (here), (here). Anheuser-Busch Inbev SA stock did not hit a 52-week high following a boycott prompted by Bud Light’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney.

☆ Behind the Backlash Against Bud Light’s Transgender Influencer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Amanda Holpuch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Some conservative commentators and celebrities began calling for a boycott of Bud Light after the beer was featured in a social media promotion by a transgender influencer, Dylan Mulvaney. After Bud Light’s sales slumped and the brand found itself thrust into the nation’s culture wars, Anheuser-Busch, the beer’s brewer, announced on Tuesday that two of its executives were taking a leave of absence. Ms. Mulvaney is popular on TikTok, where she has more than 10.8 million followers and has been documenting her transition online. The controversy began on April 1, when she posted a video on her Instagram account, where she has 1.8 million followers, to promote a Bud Light contest. Ms. Mulvaney, 26, celebrated one full year of her “Days of Girlhood” series in March with a live show at Rockefeller Center called “Dylan Mulvaney’s Day 365 Live!”

☆ Fact Check-Video of Bud Light cans being ‘steamrolled’ predates sponsorship with trans influencer
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In April, Mulvaney’s sponsorship with Bud Light (here), a beer brand owned by Anheuser-Busch, triggered transphobic commentary and a conservative backlash (here). A tweet posted with the video of beer cans said, “The Bud Light Boycott is in full gear. Thousands of cases being steamrolled after it was revealed that just one sip of Bud Light turns you Trans” (here). The video was taken in February, however, at least a month prior to Mulvaney’s sponsorship with Bud Light. Reuters has previously debunked claims that have circulated online in response to the Mulvaney and Bud Light partnership (here), (here), (here), (here).

☆ Who is trans advocate Dylan Mulvaney?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

She became famous on TikTok, where she pivoted from musical theater to advocacy when she came out as trans. But when she started posting videos sponsored by Bud Light, Olay and Nike, her accounts became flooded with anti-trans hate. After cultivating a sizable following during the pandemic, Mulvaney came out as a trans woman in March 2022. From time to time we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney says she tries to tune out anti-trans hateDylan Mulvaney presented an award at the PFLAG National 50th Anniversary Gala in March.

☆ Fact Check-Claim that Anheuser-Busch fired its entire marketing team stems from a satire website
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A satirical article about brewing company Anheuser-Busch firing its entire marketing team for partnering with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney appears to have been taken seriously by some users online. “Anheuser Busch Fires Its Entire Marketing Department After "Worst Mistake In Bud Light History”," read a Twitter post with 1.2 million views at the time of writing (here). A spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch told Reuters that the company has not fired its entire marketing team for collaborating with Dylan Mulvaney, however. Reuters could not find any news publications reporting that the company fired its marketing team following its partnership with Mulvaney. Claims Anheuser Busch fired its marketing department after a partnership with Dylan Mulvaney are not true and were originally published by a satirical website.

☆ Fact Check-Claims Anheuser-Busch CEO apologized for company’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney stem from satire article
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A spokesperson for brewing company Anheuser-Busch told Reuters that online claims its CEO apologized for its collaboration with social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney are false. “I can confirm that these statements are inaccurate and there is no truth to them,” a spokesperson for Anheuser Busch told Reuters in an email. Reuters also could not find any credible news outlet reporting that the CEO of the company had apologized for the partnership. The claim that the company apologized appears to have originated from a satirical website called Dunning-Kruger-Times (here). The claim that Anheuser-Busch’s CEO apologized for company’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney was originally published by a satirical website.

☆ Fact Check-Satirical article about Budweiser losing $800 million in one day taken seriously online
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An article about Budweiser, a brand owned by brewing company Anheuser-Busch, losing $800 million in one day following its collaboration with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney stems from a satirical website but has been mistaken as authentic online. The claim originated from a satirical website called Patriot Party Press (here). The stock price graphic for Anheuser-Busch’s parent company AB InBev SA shows no significant losses visible in the first few days of April (here), (here). On Monday, its stock price had dropped 2.8% to $64.96 at the closing bell but rose again to $65.50 on April 11 as of this article’s writing. An article about Budweiser losing $800 million in one day was originally published by a satirical website.

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