Travis Kelce’s Ads For Pfizer And Bud Light Draw Right-Wing Anger

Topline

Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end who has been making headlines for his rumored romance with Taylor Swift, is also facing backlash from right-wing fans for his appearances in advertisements for Bud Light, the beer brand boycotted by some conservatives, and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines.

Key Facts

Chief Critics

Conservative pundits Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk criticized Kelce in a discussion on Kelly’s YouTube channel. Kirk said Kelce should be “shamed and humiliated” for his participation in the Pfizer ad, accusing both him and Pfizer of trying to make a profit. Both Kelly and Kirk questioned why Kelce was chosen as a spokesperson for the vaccine, stating his presumably young male fanbase are at lower risk of Covid-19 complications than older people. They also questioned the efficacy of the vaccine, suggesting it may give people myocarditis (though the CDC has cited studies showing people who actually get Covid-19 are at greater risk of myocarditis than those who have not had it). Some critics also criticized Kelce for his participation in the Bud Light ad and for his rumored relationship with Swift. “He’s super woke. He’s with Taylor, he endorsed Bud Light post-controversy, and he’s pushing the Pfizer vax,” Kelly said. In response to Kelce’s Pfizer ad, conservative commentator Tomi Lahren tweeted: “Is this what happens when you date Taylor Swift?” Swift, though generally quiet on political issues, is a vocal supporter of President Joe Biden. “Travis Kelce sold his soul to Pfizer to push the clot shots,” conservative influencers Hodgetwins tweeted to their 2.2 million followers (blood clots associated with the vaccine are rare). Kelce’s Instagram comments were inundated with hateful comments, with some accusing him of having “sold out” to the pharmaceutical company and making a “poor choice on what you promote.”

Tangent

Kelce has attracted widespread media attention in recent weeks, well beyond his typical NFL fanbase, because of his rumored relationship with Taylor Swift. Though neither has confirmed or denied the rampant dating rumors, Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears game on Sunday and was spotted leaving with Kelce in his car afterward. Videos of Swift at the game, including one where she appears to yell “let’s f*cking go” after Kelce made a touchdown, went viral on social media. Her appearance followed weeks of swirling rumors, which ramped up after The Messenger reported on September 12 the pair are “quietly hanging out.” Their rumored romance quickly became the talk of the NFL, with various commentators and sports journalists poking fun at the possible couple, often using puns referencing Swift’s songs. NFL Network commentator Rich Eisen joked Kelce left a “blank space” when he was absent from a game because of a “delicate” injury, but Eisen said upon his return last week, he “proves to be the anti-hero” and “never goes out of style.”

Key Background

Kelce starred in the Bud Light ad just three months after angered conservatives launched a boycott of the beer brand over its marketing partnership with Mulvaney. The boycott sank Bud Light’s sales and Modelo surpassed it as the top-selling beer in the United States this year in August. Bud Light’s ad starring Kelce is one of several employed by the brand to ostensibly win back customers. In August, it launched the football-focused “Easy to Sunday” marketing campaign starring “real” fans in its ads. The brand’s efforts have been criticized by conservatives who have not been swayed by its new marketing tactics.

Further Reading

Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Become Talk Of NFL After She Attends Chiefs Game (Forbes)

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and mom star in Pfizer commercial promoting COVID, flu vaccines (The Kansas City Star)