It's hard to believe that it's been over a year since the Bud Light controversy.
For those who don't recall, Bud Light found itself embroiled in a difficult situation when it decided to partner with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney to promote its product in honor of March Madness.
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And what became known as the Bud Light controversy dominated headlines for weeks.
"This month I celebrated my day 365 of womanhood," Mulvaney said in an Instagram video posted on April 1, 2023. "And Bud Light sent me possibly the best gift ever: a can with my face on it!"
The post sparked backlash and a slew of online hate directed at both Mulvaney and Bud Light. The beer company ultimately apologized for dividing America, though it continues to draw the ire of basically everybody; it is now the central victim of a nationwide boycott.
Many of those folks on social media and in the public sphere calling for a boycott of Bud Light leaned on right-wing side of politics.
Kid Rock posted a viral video of himself shooting several racks of the beer, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a formal letter to parent company Anheuser Busch demanding an inquiry into the Mulvaney partnership (the Beer Institute's Code Compliance Review Board [CCRB] ultimately ruled the promotion was not in violation of its partnership marketing code.)
Dunkin
Boycotts have been effective in some cases
But Bud Light is far from the only brand that's dealt with a boycott in recent years.
Similarly in 2023, Target (TGT) was the subject of a boycott after it was reportedly selling rainbow colored clothing, accessories, and other lines that included chest binders, swimsuits, and underwear designed for transgender consumers.
And popular ice cream company Ben & Jerry's found itself at the center of a similar boycott after it debuted its partnership with Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL player famous for kneeling during the National Anthem.
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The brand's "Change the Whirled" ice cream flavor made with Kaepernick caused a stir, and it routinely tweets out politically charged sentiments about geopolitical events and politics that get under the skin of the American right.
"This 4th of July, it's high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now," Ben & Jerry's tweeted in July 2023.
Fast food chain new subject of a boycott
But just because we've put summer 2023 behind us doesn't mean social media is any less charged up by brands taking a political stance on things.
Dunkin Donuts, the New England based coffee chain popular for its baked goods and indulgent coffee drinks, has found itself as the latest target for controversy.
In early August, a marketing agent from its parent company Inspire Brand said in an email that the brand would not advertise on Rumble, a right leaning video streaming service that functions similarly to YouTube.
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The marketing agent cited Rumble's "right-wing culture," as the reason for not wanting to work with it as an advertising partner.
Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski posted his email correspondence with the agent on X.
We pitched @DunkinDonuts and @InspireBrands because Rumble over indexes with coffee consumption," he explained. "Their discrimination against "right wing culture" inspired us to build @rumble1775 coffee, a coffee for all cultures (which is doing great btw)."
2nd drop -- We pitched @dunkindonuts and @InspireBrands beacause Rumble over indexes with coffee consumption. Their discrimination against "right wing culture" inspired us to build @rumble1775 coffee, a coffee for all cultures (which is doing great btw). pic.twitter.com/ANzJXHUcwx
— Chris Pavlovski (@chrispavlovski) August 7, 2024
The tweet immediately sent political X ablaze, with many prominent influencers calling for a boycott of Dunkin.
"Trend it retweet it … Another woke company that thinks they have power over us," conservative account @Catturd2 wrote. Shortly after his tweet, the hashtag #BoycottDunkinDonuts became a top two trending phrase on X.
#BoycottDunkinDonuts
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) August 7, 2024
Trend it retweet it …
Another woke company that thinks they have power over us.
So tired of these woke idiots.
And prominent radio and TV personality Dan Bongino, who is also an investor in Rumble, called for a nationwide boycott.
"Ladies and gentleman, it's time to boycott Dunkin Donuts," he said during his radio show. "I'm tired of these people. I'm tired of this bullsh*t. And if they want to go to war with right wing culture, then we're going to show them what right wing culture is about."
💥SHORTER CLIP💥
— MAGA Kitty (@SaveUSAKitty) August 8, 2024
Dan Bongino @dbongino calls @catturd2 LIVE ON AIR to thank him for getting #TamponTim and #BoycottDunkinDonuts MEGA TRENDING‼️‼️👏👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/cm37yYVEaT
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