Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has asked officials to review Bud Light owner Anheuser-Busch, alleging that the company’s controversial actions, which led to a nationwide boycott, have resulted in potential losses to the state pension fund.
In a July 20 letter (pdf), written to the head of Florida’s State Board of Administration (SBA), Mr. DeSantis said that Anheuser-Busch’s stock performance has “plummeted” since it associated Bud Light with “radical social ideologies.” SBA offers investment services to state and local government entities, including the retirement system pension plan. The company’s losses “have been staggering.”
Citing media reports, the letter pointed out that Bud Light has “lost its top spot in the U.S. beer market” and saw a 28 percent decrease in revenue sales in the four weeks ending July 1. In addition, the “politicization” of the Bud Light brand is “dragging down the value of other beverages” under Anheuser-Busch….