Ted Cruz investigates Bud Light maker for transgender partnership.

Ted Cruz Investigates Bud Light’s Partnership with Transgender Influencer

Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) have opened an investigation into Bud Light’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, citing violations of guidelines that prohibit alcohol companies from advertising to a younger audience.

The senators wrote a letter to Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Bud Light parent company Anheuser-Busch, stating that “the evidence detailed below overwhelmingly shows that Dylan Mulvaney’s audience skews significantly younger than the legal drinking age.” They also criticized the company’s failure to exercise appropriate due diligence when selecting online influencers for its marketing efforts.

The senators listed popular videos that clearly appeal to kids, like ones that include Barbie dolls and show Mulvaney dressing as a child. They demanded that Anheuser-Busch sever its relationship with Mulvaney, publicly apologize for marketing alcoholic beverages to minors, and direct Mulvaney to remove any Anheuser-Busch content from his social media platforms.

The controversy has led to a conservative boycott of Bud Light, resulting in a 26 percent drop in sales from a year ago. Anheuser-Busch CEO Michel Doukeris tried to distance the company from Mulvaney, stating that the partnership was “one camp, one influencer, one post, and not a campaign.”

Bud Light is not alone in facing backlash for advertising. Miller Lite is also facing blowback for a months-old ad that pushed a feminist message.

• Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn opened an investigation into Bud Light’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
• The senators cited violations of guidelines that prohibit alcohol companies from advertising to a younger audience.
• Anheuser-Busch is facing a conservative boycott and a 26 percent drop in sales from a year ago.
• The senators demanded that Anheuser-Busch sever its relationship with Mulvaney and publicly apologize for marketing alcoholic beverages to minors.
• Bud Light is not alone in facing backlash for advertising, as Miller Lite is also facing blowback for a months-old ad that pushed a feminist message.