Are you a Kid Rock fan? If so, you might remember the viral video last year of him shooting cans of Bud Light in protest of the beer company’s woke initiatives. Well, Kid Rock recently opened up about that incident during an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, and let’s just say it was quite a show!
Kid Rock described his protest as “having fun” and venting his anger at Bud Light. He couldn’t help but question the beer company’s choices and said, “What the f–k are they doing?” He made it clear that it was more of a playful act than anything else, but it definitely caught people’s attention.
In the video, Kid Rock was seen shooting multiple cases of Bud Light at an outdoor shooting range. He even went as far as saying, “f— Bud Light and f— Anheuser-Busch” before the video ended. This was a direct response to Bud Light making Dylan Mulvaney, a biological male and transgender woman, their brand spokesperson.
The backlash was intense. Bud Light’s consumer base, which consists mostly of conservatives, felt betrayed and abandoned the brand. This cost Bud Light and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, serious revenue. Even now, a year later, the brand’s revenue is still down nearly 30%.
During the podcast, Kid Rock admitted that he unintentionally became the “face” of the backlash. He described his actions in the video as “throwing a tantrum with a machine gun,” poking fun at himself. But let’s be honest, sometimes a little tantrum can get a big message across.
Interestingly, Kid Rock revealed that he has since become friends with Brendan Whitworth, the CEO of Anheuser-Busch, despite the drama. They met at a UFC event where Kid Rock was hanging out with former President Trump. Trump even encouraged Kid Rock to go and talk to Whitworth, and he did.
They hit it off and had a “great conversation.” Kid Rock discovered that Whitworth is a hunting enthusiast, which instantly bonded them. Whitworth even visited Kid Rock in Nashville, where they broke bread, got f—– up on Bud Light, and had a blast bowling. It’s a friendship that Kid Rock cherishes, even though he still believes the company “f—– up.”
So, if you’re wondering why Kid Rock took a stand against Bud Light, now you know. It’s not just about the beer; it’s about principles. And while the controversy might have caused some heartburn for Bud Light, it certainly made for an interesting story and an unlikely friendship.
