close video Little to no Bud Light is being sold now after backlash: Michael Lamar
Mikes Gemini Twin Lounge owner Michael Lamar discusses how Bud Lights partnership with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney has caused sales to plummet on ‘The Bottom Line.’
Anheuser-Busch's chief executive officer is breaking his silence two weeks after Bud Light sparked significant backlash for its marketing campaign featuring transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth on Friday issued a statement in response to the backlash.
"As the CEO of a company founded in America’s heartland more than 165 years ago, I am responsible for ensuring every consumer feels proud of the beer we brew. We’re honored to be part of the fabric of this country. Anheuser-Busch employs more than 18,000 people and our independent distributors employ an additional 47,000 valued colleagues. We have thousands of partners, millions of fans and a proud history supporting our communities, military, first responders, sports fans and hard-working Americans everywhere," Whitworth said. "We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people. We are in the business of bringing people together over a beer."
FROM CIA TO BEER: BRENDAN WHITWORTH'S PATH TO CEO OF ANHEUSER-BUSCH
Cans of Budweiser and Bud Light sit on a shelf for sale at a convenience store in New York City on July 26, 2018. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images / Getty Images)
"My time serving this country taught me the importance of accountability and the values upon which America was founded: freedom, hard work and respect for one another. As CEO of Anheuser-Busch, I am focused on building and protecting our remarkable history and heritage. I care deeply about this country, this company, our brands and our partners. I spend much of my time traveling across America, listening to and learning from our customers, distributors and others. Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation," he added.
Mulvaney said on social media earlier this month that Anheuser-Busch sent a pack of Bud Light to Mulvaney with her face on it as part of an ad for the company's March Madness contest, along with celebrating her full year of "girlhood."
BUD LIGHT SUFFERS BLOODBATH AS LONGTIME AND LOYAL CONSUMERS REVOLT AGAINST TRANSGENDER CAMPAIGN
Bud Light has faced intense backlash from longtime customers over a recent ad campaign with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney. (Instagram/Fox News / Fox News)
Dylan Mulvaney attends her Day 365 Live! at the Rainbow Room in New York City on March 13, 2023. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In an Instagram post, Mulvaney said that the cans were her "most prized possession," along with a video drinking a Bud Light as part of the campaign.
Previously, the company said in a statement to Fox News that it occasionally creates commemorative gift cans to celebrate personal milestones and works with many influencers.
"Anheuser-Busch works with hundreds of influencers across our brands as one of many ways to authentically connect with audiences across various demographics. From time to time we produce unique commemorative cans for fans and for brand influencers, like Dylan Mulvaney. This commemorative can was a gift to celebrate a personal milestone and is not for sale to the general public," an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said.
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The Bud Light knight is seen interacting with fans in the stands during an NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit on Oct. 20, 2019. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Anheuser-Busch has also suffered a financial hit during the controversy.
Jeff Fitter, owner of Case & Bucks, a restaurant and sports bar in Barnhart, Missouri, told FOX Business earlier in the week that sales of Anheuser-Busch bottled products have dropped 30% in the past week and draft beer dropped 50%.
FOX Business' Brian Flood and Kerry Byrne contributed to this report.
Another Cadillac EV has earned the iconic “V” badge. The 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V is a new entry-level sports electric vehicle (EV) with over 500 horsepower, sporty styling both inside and out, and additional upgrades. It’s also GM’s first vehicle with a built-in NACS port, unlocking access to Tesla Superchargers.
Cadillac unveils 2026 Optiq-V EV prices and specs
Cadillac is back! The luxury brand is coming off its best quarter since 2008, but with a full lineup of electric vehicles rolling out, Cadillac expects to gain even more traction later this year.
After introducing the Lyriq-V earlier this year, we are now getting a look at Cadillac’s second EV to earn the brand’s performance trademark.
Cadillac revealed the 2026 Optiq-V on Monday, an upgraded, sportier version of the new entry-level electric SUV. The new V model boasts 519 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque in Velocity Max mode, good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 3.5 seconds.
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GM confirmed Cadillac’s new Optiq-V will be its first vehicle with a built-in NACS charging port, enabling access to Tesla’s Supercharger network.
The Optiq-V features a dual-motor AWD powertrain and 85 kWh battery pack, which Cadillac estimates will provide 275 miles range.
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V (Source: GM)
Like Cadillac’s other performance vehicles, the new EV includes added features and tech, including V-Mode, which GM promises “takes performance customization further” with variant modes and settings.
When using V-Mode, a Launch Control feature is available, designed for straight-line takeoffs. You can also take advantage of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free ADAS system as standard.
The exterior is upgraded with a new front-end design, featuring a V-pattern mesh on the lower grille, a high-gloss black front splitter, and colored trim.
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V interior (Source: GM)
For the carbon fiber fans out there, GM offers a package that adds a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear mid-spoiler. Other V-Series badges are added on the rear doors, liftgate, and driver’s side grillette.
The V model will be offered in two new limited-edition colors: Magnus Metal Frost, a matte metallic grey with warm highlights, and Deep Ocean Tintcoat.
A 33″ LED infotainment system sits at the center of the interior with Google built-in. You can choose from two palette options: Noir with Santorini Blue accents, and Noir and Sky Cool Gray with Santorini Blue accents.
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V interior (Source: GM)
If you really want to get fancy, there’s an optional palette featuring a Santorini Blue seatback panel and Santorini Blue seatbelt.
The Optiq-V features a darker colored pattern with Santorini Blue accent stitching, while V-Series badging is added on the steering wheel, sill plate, and floor mats.
2025 Cadillac Optiq trim
Starting Price (including destination)
Driving Range (EPA-estimated)
Luxury 1
$54,390
302 miles
Luxury 2
$56,590
302 miles
Sport 1
$54,990
302 miles
Sport 2
$57,090
302 miles
2025 Cadillac Optiq price and range by trim
Following the 2026 Lyriq-V, the Optiq is the second Cadillac EV to earn the V-series treatment. The Optiq is Cadillac’s new entry-level electric SUV, starting at $54,390 with 302 miles range.
The new 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V model starts at $68,795, including destination. It will be sold in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, and Israel, with production set to begin in Fall 2025.
Measuring 190″ long, 75″ wide, and 65″ tall, the standard Cadillac Optiq is about the same size as the Tesla Model Y (187″ long x 76″ wide x 64″ tall).
If you can’t wait for the V-Series model, Cadillac is offering some sweet deals on the entry-level Optiq right now with leases starting at just $409 per month. Ready to check it out for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find 2025 Cadillac Optiq models at the best price at a dealer near you.
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Forsyth, a former RAF pilot and investigative journalist turned novelist, was also known for his thrilling crime books The Fox, The Kill List and The Afghan.
He was born in Ashford, Kent, in 1938 and joined the Royal Air Force in 1956 before leaving after two years to pursue a career in journalism.
He covered international stories and the attempted assassination of French general Charles de Gaulle, which provided the inspiration for The Day Of The Jackal, which was published in 1971.
In 2000 he became the first high-profile British writer to agree to publish a book exclusively on the internet.
He revealed he had extensive involvement with MI6 in his 2015 memoir The Outsider: My Life In Intrigue.
His agent Jonathan Lloyd said: “We mourn the passing of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers.
“Only a few weeks ago I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life – In My Own Words, to be released later this year on BBC1 – and was reminded of an extraordinary life, well lived.
“After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages in German, French and Russian to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra.
“Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, The Day Of The Jackal, and instantly became a global best-selling author.
“He went on to write more than 25 books (many of which were made into films) that have sold over 75 million copies.
“He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, all of us at Curtis Brown and of course his millions of fans around the world – though his books will of course live on forever.”