Singer-songwriter Kid Rock has sparked a major controversy after he shot down cans of Bud Light. This came in response to a campaign by the beer giant featuring a transgender activist and influencer. Kid Rock’s Bud Light shooting video is a clear shot at Anheuser-Busch’s decision to enlist Dylan Mulvaney for a campaign celebrating her self-styled “365 days of womanhood.”
The singer whose real name is Robert James Ritchie never mentioned Mulvaney by name in his video. The clip has gone viral and has millions of cumulative views on Instagram and Twitter. Transgender advocates criticized the violent video as it evokes ‘sick’ and ‘heartbroken’ reactions. However, the video has received positive reactions from right-wing supporters who support anti-transgender laws.
Why did Kid Rock shoot Bud Light cans in the video?
Kid Rock, the popular rock-rapper, recently made headlines after posting a video of himself on various social media platforms. In the video, he addresses the camera while wearing a white MAGA hat. The musician introduced himself by saying, “Grandpa’s feeling a bit frisky today,” before promising to make his statement as “clear and concise as possible.”
Kid Rock then picked up a semi-automatic rifle and began firing at three cases of Bud Light placed on a wooden table. After stopping his gunfire, he turned towards the camera and expressed his frustration towards Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch by stating, “F–k Bud Light, and f–k Anheuser-Busch.”
Bud Light’s campaign with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney
Bud Light’s recent appointment of trans TikTok star, Dylan Mulvaney, as its newest spokesperson has come under fire on social media. Mulvaney, a trans activist, announced on Saturday that the beer company had sent her packs of Bud Light that featured her face to celebrate the recent “365 Days of Girlhood” milestone. Bud Light also released a promotional video featuring Mulvaney drinking the beer while in a bathtub.
However, the announcement met with a lot of criticism on social media. Some Twitter users accused the company of pushing gender propaganda. This is not the first time Mulvaney has sparked controversy with brand collaborations, as she also faced backlash after announcing a collaboration with Tampax, which resulted in a boycott campaign.
How has Anheuser-Busch responded to the controversy?
After violent reactions to the campaign like Kid Rock shooting down Bud Light cans, an official statement has been released. Anheuser-Busch spokesperson confirmed that they sent Mulvaney a personalized can as a gift to commemorate a personal milestone. However, the can is not up for sale to the public.
The company actively collaborates with several influencers across its brands to engage with a diverse audience. As part of this approach, the company periodically creates exclusive commemorative cans for fans and brand influencers like Dylan Mulvaney.