Following the ongoing fallout from the Dylan Mulvaney partnership and subsequent Bud Light boycott, Anson Frericks, the former president of Anheuser-Busch Sales and Distribution Co., has publicly called for the resignation of current CEO Brendan Whitworth. Frericks argues that Whitworth's handling of the situation has exacerbated the brand's decline and that new leadership is needed to navigate the crisis.

In a recent opinion piece, Frericks emphasized the substantial financial losses incurred by Anheuser-Busch, citing the $20 billion drop in market capitalization. He criticized Whitworth's responses to the controversy as weak and indecisive, highlighting the CEO's failure to effectively address consumer concerns and reconcile the divide between those demanding an apology and those supporting Mulvaney. Frericks pointed to several instances where Whitworth missed opportunities to take decisive action, including his initial corporate response that failed to mention the controversy directly and his later statements that offered little substance and failed to resonate with consumers.

Frericks also took issue with Whitworth's recent interview on "CBS Mornings," where he evaded direct questions about the Mulvaney promotion. He argued that the CEO should have acknowledged the misstep and committed to a different approach. Frericks attributes Whitworth's perceived inaction to the influence of "stakeholder capitalism," suggesting that the CEO is prioritizing the interests of activists and other groups over the company's shareholders and customers.

Frericks concludes his argument by reiterating his call for Whitworth's resignation, asserting that he has demonstrated an inability to resolve the crisis and that a new leader is necessary to salvage the Bud Light brand. Fox News Digital has reached out to Bud Light for a response to Frericks' criticisms.