Google’s New ‘Woke’ Ad Slammed by Fox Host and Some Conservatives Online

Fox News host Sean Hannity on Friday criticized Google’s new holiday shopping ad featuring nonbinary influencer Cyrus Veyssi, calling it “woke” and comparing it to Bud Light’s 2023 ad with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, with some conservative social media users echoing his sentiments.

Veyssi, a digital creator who gained popularity on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, often posts videos about funnyfamily interactions, LGBTQ+ allyship, and beauty, among other topics. Veyssi uses they/he pronouns, according to their Instagram bio.

Veyssi stars in a new Google ad in which they use the platform to search for hydrating skin care products during the winter holiday season. The influencer posted the sponsored ad on their Instagram account on Monday.

“Did Google ever hear of Bud Light? Did they not watch what happened to Bud Light?” Hannity asked conservative activist Riley Gaines, host of the podcast Gaines for Girls, during his show on Friday. “Did they not ever hear the phrase, ‘Go Woke, Go Broke,’ because it seems like they are not getting it,”

Gaines agreed, responding, “No, apparently they didn’t,” adding, “If their goal was to make Americans frustrated and to lose money, then they did a fantastic job, it works every time.” Gaines, a former college swimmer for the University of Kentucky, has been a vocal activist against inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports.

A spokesperson for Google told Newsweek in an email on Saturday afternoon regarding the holiday campaign, “Everyone likes to find a good deal and save money. That’s why we’re promoting Google Shopping as the best way to do that. To put it in perspective, this was a single sponsored Instagram post, representing a fraction of a percent of a much wider Google Shopping campaign.”

Newsweek has reached out to Veyssi for comment via email on Saturday.

In April 2023, Mulvaney shared a video to her Instagram account showcasing a brand deal with Bud Light, including a customized can of the beer to promote her transition to womanhood. The partnership sparked widespread backlash against Bud Light, mainly by conservatives who criticized the brand’s decision to partner with a transgender individual.

Bud Light and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, eventually distanced themselves from Mulvaney. The beer brand was boycotted by many, including singer Kid Rock who shot a machine gun at crates of Bud Light. According to CNN Business, Anheuser-Busch’s 2023 revenue dropped $1.4 billion, with the backlash from the partnership likely corresponding to the bulk of the loss.

Gaines told Hannity on Friday that “the free market always prevails” citing Bud Light’s revenue loss from the partnership.

On X, formerly Twitter, some conservatives echoed similar sentiments, such as Bonchie, an author for conservative blog Red State, who shared the ad and wrote: “Google: ‘What should we do for our Christmas ad?’ Normals: ‘Maybe a family sharing gifts around a tree?’ Google: ‘Sorry, best we can do is a dude prancing around in women’s clothing.'”

The X account “End Wokeness” which has 3.3 million followers, shared the ad and wrote: “Christmas ad from Google. Dear Lord.”

Hazel Appleyard, who identified as transgender at 17 but has since detransitioned, called the ad “hideous,” in an X post, adding that “hopefully this is the last Christmas we have to see this BS.”

LGBTQ+ publisher Pink News pushed back on the critics calling them “bigots” and saying that right-wingers are very angry about it and they deem it “‘woke’ and ‘transgender,’ just because it stars an LGBTQ+ person.”

Some users on Instagram supported Veyssi and the post, including the skincare brand featured in the ad, Elemis, who wrote, “This is everything!”

Meanwhile, other corporations, including UGG and Target, who have partnered with LGBTQ+ people and nonbinary people have also faced backlash over merchandise and character controversy.

Last year, Target faced boycotts from conservatives who objected to the store selling LGBTQ+ Pride merchandise, which the retailer was forced to scale down following threats made to staff.

The retailer stated in May 2023 that it would remove some items that it said had been “at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior” following the threats. The items include “tuck-friendly” swimsuits for transgender individuals and some children’s products. At the time, Target stores across the U.S. were subject to bomb threats over the controversy, while numerous LGBTQ+ organizations called on the brand to “speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism.”