Kim Reynolds touts 'real women' coolers parodying Bud Light trans influencer

Galen Bacharier, Des Moines Register
·2 min read
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is promoting a series of beverage coolers that label herself and three other female Republican governors as "real women of politics."

The koozies, which are being sold on Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' campaign website, appear to parody Bud Light cans — colored royal blue with "REAL WOMAN" emblazoned in a bold white font.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds promoted the Real Women Koozie Starter Pack (governors edition) to combat "woke" corporations, a dig at Bud Light's recent campaign featuring a transgender spokesperson.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds promoted the Real Women Koozie Starter Pack (governors edition) to combat "woke" corporations, a dig at Bud Light's recent campaign featuring a transgender spokesperson.

Promotion of the campaign merchandise comes amid backlash from conservative online circles and officials over the light beer's social media partnership with a transgender influencer, Dylan Mulvaney.

Some Republicans called for a boycott of the beer, sold by Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the company placed two executives involved in the collaboration on leave.

From USA TODAY: Bud Light marketing leadership 'adjustments' made after conservative boycott threats

Four styles of the koozies portray different Republican governors — Reynolds, Sanders, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. A two-pack of koozies featuring Reynolds runs $15, plus shipping costs.

Dylan Mulvaney speaks onstage at PFLAG National 50th Anniversary Gala at Marriott Marquis on March 03, 2023, in New York City.
Dylan Mulvaney speaks onstage at PFLAG National 50th Anniversary Gala at Marriott Marquis on March 03, 2023, in New York City.

"Woke corporations are trying to change who WE are!" Reynolds wrote on Twitter Monday morning, posting a promotional image of the koozies and encouraging followers of her campaign account to buy them.

An online video promoting the koozies mimics Bud Light commercials, with a background music track singing "real women don't have to fake it."

"Some big companies can't tell the difference between real and fake anymore," a narrator says during the video.

The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request to see how many koozies had been sold for each of the governors pictured.

Reynolds has made restrictions on transgender youth a priority this year, signing off on a pair of laws that ban gender-affirming health care for minors and prevent transgender people from using school restrooms or locker rooms that do not align with their sex at birth.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is featured on a beer cooler featuring "real women."
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is featured on a beer cooler featuring "real women."

Other Republican-led states, including Arkansas, Alabama and South Dakota, have done the same.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa governor promotes 'real women' koozies parodying Bud Light