Actor Rob Schneider says country star Garth Brooks’ ‘ego’ was the real culprit in Bud Light drama
Actor Rob Schneider has said he believes singer Garth Brooks’ “ego” got in the way of his judgment when he decided to speak out and defend Bud Light beer sales.
Last week, the 61-year-old country singer justified his decision to sell the tarnished brand at his Nashville bar after some fans said they would no longer listen to his music.
The beer has been massively boycotted by drinkers following the controversy with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, but Brooks said he would stay keep the beer and noticed that he was focus on inclusiveness.
Speaking Fox newsSchneider suggested, given the hypersensitivity of the issue, that it might be wiser for people, including Brooks, not to take sides publicly, especially when it comes to something like beer choices.
Schneider said he hoped Brooks would think twice before speaking out next time.
From a business point of view, Schneider also advised others to avoid controversies altogether by distancing himself from such decisions, claiming that it would have been better for Brooks to remain silent and distance himself.
Rob Schneider suggested Garth Brooks reconsider speaking out when it comes to ‘awakened’ controversy after defending Bud Light and Dylan Mulvaney
“I think he’ll stay out of it next time. Is not he? I think next time Garth Brooks will keep his mouth shut and pretend ‘I have nothing to do with which beer is chosen in my restaurant,'” Schneider suggested.
“I think the culture is somehow in a really weird spot of hypersensitivity. And I think that’s why most people keep their mouths shut.’ continued Schneider.
In an interview with Billboard, Brooks said he wanted his bar to be “a place where you feel safe.” Pictured: Brooks performs at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards in May
“I mean, just from a business point of view, just shut up and say, ‘I have nothing to do with it,'” he advised.
Despite the backlash, Brooks remained firm in his decision to offer a wide variety of beers at his bar — all while promoting diversity and inclusion.
“Let’s talk about two things about it – one is diversity, inclusiveness. That’s me, I always have been. We have the same thing with We Shall Be Free, people wanted to burn our stuff. I get it, everyone has their own opinion,” Brooks said last week.
Brooks had previously stated in an interview with Billboard that his bar would serve “any brand of beer” to create an “inclusive and welcoming” atmosphere.
He emphasized the importance of kindness and acceptance, while also acknowledging that not everyone might agree with his point of view.
‘LWe’re talking about being a bar owner. I am now a bar owner. Are we going to have the most popular beers in the thing? Yes. It’s not our decision whether we do it or not, it’s the decision of the customers, the bosses,” Brooks explained.
“If they don’t want it, I have to go to the distributors and say, man, your stuff isn’t selling and then action is taken. But the truth is, it’s those people in those seats who make those decisions and that’s what Friends in Little Places is going to be.”
“I think he’ll stay out of it next time. Is not he? I think next time Garth Brooks will shut up and pretend “I have nothing to do with the beer chosen at my restaurant,” suggested Schneider.
Dylan Mulvaney holds a Bud Light in a video posted to the influencer’s Instagram page on April 1
Brooks said customers should “come in with love…tolerance, patience, an open mind.” He is pictured performing in 2019
Brooks said customers should “come in with love…tolerance, patience, an open mind.”
“If you’re one of those people who just can’t do that, I get it. If you’re ever one of those people who want to try it, come on, let’s have some fun.’
Schneider responded that while he also understood where Brooks was coming from, he was critical of the need for him to defend his actions, suggesting he should have simply avoided the subject altogether.
Despite the backlash, Brooks has stuck to its decision to offer a wide variety of beers at its bar — while promoting diversity and inclusion
‘That’s right about him. I am as susceptible as Garth – ego. You know, he had to put this in there: “Well, I think that, you know, I’m a good person because I…” And it’s like you keep your mouth shut,” Schneider explained to Fox.
“I sound like a baseball player who apologized for upsetting people because he dared to speak up about what happened at one of his favorite high street, Target, and then apologized to the fans and friends, and then he still gets booed.
Schneider noted how in today’s society, especially among liberals, forgiveness is elusive, with even the slightest misstep leading to permanent exclusion.
So there is no route. There is no way to forgiveness. There’s no way to make it right.
‘With the liberals you’re out, forever. And that’s it. You’re out,’ Schneider guessed.
Schneider said he was determined to speak his mind and face the consequences, even if it meant making less money.
He emphasized how he would rather be true to himself and face the consequences than remain silent to avoid controversy.
“I’d rather not play [than] to ask you something. I’ll just do it. I’m just getting out,” he said. “I’m going to speak my mind and then deal with what I do, and if I make less money – I’m sorry. I’m not getting a private jet. I’m just flying first class with Delta, sorry.”
Bud Light and its parent company Anheuser-Busch have been targeted by conservatives for months over their partnership with Mulvaney.
Anheuser-Busch has lost tens of billions of dollars in market value since the partnership was announced.
The brewing giant decided to use 26-year-old Mulvaney for its March Madness campaign when the influencer posted the now-infamous promo when the brand sent her a personalized beer can to celebrate “365 Days of Girlhood.”
The stock is down 19.98 percent from its recent high in March, entering an official bear market — down 20 percent. May was the third-worst month ever for the company’s stock.
According to Bump Williams Consulting, Bud Light sales also plummeted 25.7 percent for the week ending May 20 — compared to a year ago.
It’s the sharpest drop in sales since the Mulvaney controversy, with Bud Light falling 24.3 percent between April 1 and May 20.
In May, Modelo passed Bud Light 12192581 to become America’s top selling beer brand.