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Right-wing critics of the Bud Light beer brand have taken their anger to new heights, with a bizarre conspiracy theory surrounding the CEO of parent company Anheuser-Busch. Brendan Whitworth, who joined the company in 2013 and worked his way up to becoming CEO in 2021, has been accused of being a CIA plant to push the company's “woke” agenda.
This accusation comes after Bud Light recently collaborated with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney, causing outrage among conservatives who accused the brand of being too politically correct. The controversy surrounding the collaboration has only intensified with the new conspiracy theory.
Right-wing political columnist Benny Johnson got the ball rolling with the following message:
“Hey guys, I think I found the problem. The CEO of Budweiser is a CIA operative. No, really.”
You can see his tweet below.
Hey guys, I think I found the problem.
The CEO of Budweiser is a CIA operative.
No, really. pic.twitter.com/nZOoKJoZZj
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 14, 2023
The accusations against Whitworth seem to have stemmed from information available on his public LinkedIn profile, which shows that he worked for the CIA before joining Anheuser-Busch. Despite this, there is no evidence to suggest that Whitworth is a current or active CIA operative, nor that the agency has any involvement in the company's recent actions.
The conspiracy theory has been met with widespread ridicule and disbelief, with many pointing out that it is based on little more than speculation and conjecture. It also highlights the growing trend of baseless and unfounded conspiracy theories being used to justify political agendas and beliefs.
Johnson was mocked online after others quickly pointed out that active CIA agents are unlikely to publicly advertise their positions.
Active CIA assets always put it on their LinkedIn. It is OpSec101. pic.twitter.com/AgYWOyJUdS
— Matt Karolian (@mkarolian) April 15, 2023
Let the paranoia begin!
— Zachary Elwood (@apokerplayer) April 15, 2023
I know it’s hard when you can’t just make up the facts like you did at BuzzFeed, but 2006 was almost 20 years ago.
— Curtis Crimmins (@CurtisCrimmins) April 14, 2023
That picture reminds me of the fake avatars people use for marketing products.
— Tom Royce (@TomRoyce) April 14, 2023
This is more relevant than your entire career.
— Bryant Atkins (@BryantAtkins_) April 14, 2023
What the f*k would that have to do with supporting Transgender people? 🙄
…your hate is the issue, nothing else.
— Ryan Shead (@RyanShead) April 15, 2023
Hahahahahahhahahahahahaha you’re so weird
— Anita (@AnitaM86) April 15, 2023
By this definition I’m a Best Buy operative because I worked there in 2007
— Rafael Mendoza (@rfgmendoza) April 15, 2023
The controversy surrounding Bud Light's recent collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney and the subsequent conspiracy theory surrounding its CEO highlights the ongoing political divide in the United States and the increasing tendency for political issues to be amplified and distorted through social media and online discourse.
While the accusations against Whitworth are unfounded, they demonstrate the growing trend of conspiracy theories and baseless accusations being used to further political agendas, which is a worrying trend for the future of democracy and open discourse in the United States.