Mind Uncharted Explore. Discover. Learn.
Rewritten Version:
On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the popular comedian Joe Rogan addressed the ongoing “culture war” surrounding Bud Light, during which he sipped from a can of the beer brand and criticized the backlash it has received. Rogan’s guest for the show was country music star Zach Bryan, and the two delved into the months-long boycott of Bud Light that has dominated social media conversations.
The controversy surrounding Bud Light began in April when transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney announced a partnership with the beer brand. In a video posted on Instagram, Mulvaney showcased a can of Bud Light with her face on it, celebrating her 365 days of living as a woman. This move led to conservative activists initiating a boycott of Bud Light, with musicians such as Kid Rock, Travis Tritt, and John Rich joining in on speaking out against the brand. However, some members of the LGBTQ+ community also criticized Bud Light for not defending its alliance with Mulvaney.
As a result of the boycott, Bud Light has experienced a decline in domestic sales and lost its position as America’s most popular beer. This situation prompted Joe Rogan to criticize the backlash on his show. After taking a sip of his Bud Light, Rogan called the uproar “silly” and highlighted the tendency in America for people to quickly turn against each other over minor issues.
Bryan also shared his experience with the Bud Light detractors, explaining how defending his sister’s spouse on Twitter resulted in negative reactions. He emphasized the importance of respecting others and expressed his disappointment in the hateful responses he received.
During the discussion with Rogan, Bryan mentioned an exchange he had with Travis Tritt, who had also criticized Bud Light’s collaboration with Mulvaney. Bryan expressed admiration for Tritt and appreciated the opportunity to hear different perspectives on the matter.
Both Rogan and Bryan discussed the culture war in the country, deeming it “goofy” and driven by a lack of genuine conversation. They expressed concern about the fear of public backlash and the need to self-censor due to their public personas. Despite this, Rogan encouraged speaking one’s mind, acknowledging that there will always be people who disagree and take offense.
Previously, Rogan had acknowledged the significance of the Bud Light controversy, recognizing it as a cultural event like no other. However, he has also been critical of Mulvaney, referring to her as a “mentally ill person” and an attention seeker.
Meanwhile, Mulvaney herself has accused Bud Light’s parent company of ignoring the transphobic attacks she endured after her collaboration with the brand. She expressed disappointment in the company’s failure to publicly stand by her and suggested that their silence permitted customers to express transphobia freely.
As for Bud Light, Newsweek reached out for comment but has not received a response.
