Budweiser's Patriotic Super Bowl Ad Wins Praise After Years of Controversy
Budweiser has released a new patriotic commercial ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl that has been widely applauded by fans, marking a significant moment for the brand three years after facing substantial controversy over its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
A Celebration of American Heritage
The beer brand, which is celebrating 150 years of brewing in the United States, marked this milestone with the release of its "American Icons" advertisement. This commercial will be shown during the biggest day of the NFL season and features two powerful symbols associated with both America and the Budweiser brand: a Clydesdale horse and a bald eagle.
The heartwarming clip begins with a young Clydesdale discovering a bald eagle chick that has fallen from its nest. The two animals develop a deep friendship, supporting each other through various challenges and weather conditions. The advertisement culminates with the grown bald eagle spreading its wings while perched on the horse's back, creating an image reminiscent of a pegasus. The commercial concludes with Budweiser's enduring slogan: "Made of America. For 150 Years, This Bud's For You."
Overwhelming Positive Response
The advertisement has received an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers across social media platforms. Many have praised the commercial for its beauty and patriotic themes, with numerous comments highlighting how emotional and well-executed they found the advertisement.
Social media users have expressed their admiration in glowing terms:
- "Well done Budweiser. Welcome back to being American," wrote one person on X.
- "If this doesn't give you chills you can't call yourself an American!!" added another commenter.
- "The best Budweiser commercial since the 2001 one!" declared a third viewer.
- "I've watched this 30 times and cry every time. You guys hit it out of the park with this one. Greatest of all time," shared another enthusiastic fan.
Some viewers even suggested that the advertisement should replace traditional Super Bowl halftime entertainment, with one person writing: "Dear NFL, could we just cancel the Super Bowl halftime show and watch this repeatedly on the Jumbotron instead? I've never seen a better Budweiser commercial than this one."
Marketing Executive's Perspective
Todd Allen, the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch, commented on the advertisement in an official press release. He stated: "As we celebrate Budweiser's 150th anniversary and America's 250th birthday, we knew we had to rise to the occasion in a way only Budweiser can. 'American Icons' brings our heritage to life through powerful storytelling with the Budweiser Clydesdales and an American Bald Eagle. This year's spot will leave fans awestruck and proud to enjoy a Budweiser as they celebrate our shared milestone moments."
Contrast with Previous Controversy
This positive reception represents a notable shift for Budweiser, which faced significant backlash three years earlier when it partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney for a sponsored Instagram post. The controversy began when the company sent Mulvaney a commemorative can of Bud Light in 2023, sparking criticism from conservative groups and disappointment from transgender rights supporters who felt the company failed to adequately support Mulvaney.
Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev, later appeared on CBS Mornings to address the backlash. While stating that "Bud Light should be all about bringing people together," he notably declined to answer directly when asked whether the campaign featuring Mulvaney had been a mistake.
Mulvaney herself later spoke out in a TikTok video, accusing the brand of failing to support her publicly. She stated: "For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse in my opinion than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want. And the hate doesn't end with me, it has serious and grave consequences for the rest of our community."
In response to Mulvaney's statement, an Anheuser-Busch spokesperson told CNN: "We remain committed to the programs and partnerships we have forged over decades with organizations across a number of communities, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. The privacy and safety of our employees and our partners is always our top priority. As we move forward, we will focus on what we do best — brewing great beer for everyone and earning our place in moments that matter to our consumers."
The Clydesdales have long been a symbol of Budweiser's heritage, and their prominent role in this new advertisement represents a return to traditional branding elements that have historically resonated with the company's customer base. The combination of these established symbols with the patriotic imagery of the bald eagle appears to have struck a chord with audiences, suggesting a potential strategic shift in the company's marketing approach following years of controversy.
