Being a conservative in America has rarely, and only then for short periods of time, been an empowering experience. Most of the country and its institutions are against conservatives — the administrative state and federal bureaucracy, mainstream media, Hollywood, the music industry, sports leagues, higher education, labor unions…the list goes on and on.
Every now and then, however, conservatives find themselves driving change in a way that the world can’t ignore. Such has been the case in recent weeks in response to a number of large corporations choosing to embrace and engage in transgender activism.
Americans of most political stripes, but especially with conservatives at the helm, launched significant boycotts of both Bud Light over its partnership with biological male Dylan Mulvaney and Target over its new swimwear line that includes “women’s” options made specifically to allow biological men to “tuck” their definingly male features away.
The result: massive losses for both companies.
Bud Light’s reputation has been tanked, with plenty of anecdotal evidence of the boycott’s success via photos of untouched rows of the suds in grocery and convenience stores, at sporting events, and pretty much everywhere the beer is sold. Beyond the photos, there’s hard data to prove the success of boycotts against the Anheuser-Busch brand.
At the end of May, Bud Light sales marked their sixth consecutive week of dropping sales. 24-packs of the product are selling for as low as $3.49. What’s more, a promotion to try boosting sales has made Bud Light essentially free (via rebate) in some locations.
All told, Bud Light’s now-regrettable decision to celebrate Dylan Mulvaney’s first year as a “woman” has cost its parent company some $19 billion after shares dropped roughly 14 percent. The hit to Anheuser-Busch’s bottom line caused analysts at HSBC to move the stock to “hold,” and things continue to get worse as the company sees sales for its other beer offerings, such as Budweiser and Michelob Ultra dip.
Over at Target, things are also looking bleak due to a successful boycott against the company for its decision to lean into transgender activism. Notably, the company has long celebrated pride month with special product offerings, but this year it took things further with its swimwear featuring “tuck-friendly construction” and “extra crotch coverage.” The company also offered not-great-sounding “Gender Fluid” mugs. Wading into the transgender arena was, as is now clear, a step too far for guests in Target stores around the country.
Following its transgender merch launch, Target has lost some $9 billion in market value amid a 12 percent stock slump in the span of barely one week. In response to the boycott, Target said it would remove some items and relocate others elsewhere in stores while blaming “threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work” for the decision.
In all, that’s nearly $30 billion in market losses between the two companies due to swift and concerted boycotts. And it’s all because conservatives recognized and found their power as consumers.
Because conservatives chose to — similar to Americans “voting with their feet” and moving from the New Yorks and Californias of America to Texas and Florida — simply take their business elsewhere, the economic condition of the companies took a massive hit that sent both scrambling to backtrack.
That same power that conservatives discovered again with their boycotts of Target and Bud Light can also be used the other way, too, to support companies that align with their values. There’s a reason why apps like PublicSq., which helps conservatives find values-aligned businesses online and in person, are surging in popularity.
Conservatives have a voice in the marketplace; they just have to use it. It allows them to register disapproval, clearly seen in the case of Bud Light and Target, and show support, as seen from apps to help conservatives find companies they can feel good about giving their business to.
So, this month, as companies seem to lose the plot and make decisions that don’t align with their customer base, consider using your power to show support for more conservative (read: not insane) businesses. Take the money you’ve saved by leaving that case of Bud Light on the shelf or the Target run you’ve skipped and put it where your values are. Conservative companies are up against all the institutions dominated by leftist demagogues, and they need your help to continue competing in a lib-dominated marketplace, Townhall included.
By joining Townhall VIP, you’re becoming a partner in our work. With promo code SAVEAMERICA, a VIP membership is only $24.50/year. That’s roughly one heavily-discounted 24-pack of Bud Light a month or just $0.07/day. That’s less than the fees you’d pay on the plastic bags for your next trip to Target if you’re unfortunate enough to live in a city where such penalties exist.
Unlike Target or Bud Light, you can be a Townhall VIP member and never have to worry that we’ll partner with a biological male to celebrate his womanhood or try to sell you “women’s” swimsuits with room for your penis.