How Political Division is Impacting Outdoor, Food, and Beverage Brands—and What We Can Do About It

We’re living in a time when political discord seems to find its way into every corner of life, from Capitol Hill to local gatherings. Robby Starbuck’s recent post on X hits at the heart of this—voters are frustrated, feeling unheard by the leadership meant to represent them. Whether you lean into the MAGA movement or somewhere else entirely, the fact remains: the political climate is affecting us all. And if you’re working with brands in the outdoor lifestyle, food, or beverage sectors, it’s affecting your business too.

In recent years, consumers have become increasingly vocal about where brands stand on political issues. For outdoor and adventure brands, which rely on trust, loyalty, and a strong community, taking—or avoiding—a stance can create waves that reverberate beyond social media. Food and beverage brands are finding the same pressures. Consumers want transparency; they want to know where you stand, and they’re using that as a filter for which brands they support. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about identity, values, and the feeling of being represented.

The Pressure on Brands to Take a Stand

When you’re in the outdoor space, your community wants to know you’re connected to their beliefs. The outdoor lifestyle is synonymous with rugged individualism, freedom, and a connection to nature—values that can easily align with conservative ideals. When conservative consumers see political representatives they support pushing “unity” but distancing themselves from grassroots movements, it stirs resentment. And brands in these spaces often feel the impact directly.

As outdoor brands, we’re not just selling a product. We’re selling a story—a lifestyle—and that comes with responsibility. When issues like these flare up, our audiences ask us to make our position known. Silence or vague statements don’t cut it anymore. People are looking to align with brands that align with them.

For food and beverage brands, it’s a similar challenge, but it’s amplified by the fact that this industry is a mix of indulgence and trust. People invite your brand into their homes and onto their tables. Political turmoil can quickly make these brands a battleground for public opinion, especially when a brand doesn’t acknowledge where its audience stands.

The Role of Social Media as a Pressure Cooker

Social media is no longer just a marketing tool; it’s where the battle lines are drawn and where loyalty is both won and lost. When you see someone like Robby Starbuck talking openly about the frustration within the conservative movement, it becomes a rallying point for his followers. They’re sharing, commenting, and discussing how this impacts their trust in leaders—and, by extension, in the brands that choose to engage (or avoid) these conversations.

For brands, this means there’s nowhere to hide. Every post, every comment, and every brand partnership is scrutinized. Social media has given consumers the power to hold brands accountable in real time. You can feel this, especially in the food and beverage industry, where brands are increasingly taking public stances on everything from health and wellness to cultural issues. For outdoor brands, the lines are just as stark, with followers expecting transparency around environmental policies, community support, and even political affiliations.

The Opportunity for Outdoor, Food, and Beverage Brands

Now, here’s the silver lining: brands have an opportunity to tap into this energy. If a brand stands for freedom, community, and authenticity, lean into it. Speak to the core values that resonate with your audience. Acknowledge their frustrations. If voters feel their voice isn’t being heard by the political system, your brand can be the one that listens. Authenticity breeds loyalty.

1. Embrace the Dialogue: Don’t shy away from the conversation. If you’re a brand with a strong conservative or patriotic base, address their concerns directly. Use social media as a place to reinforce shared values and provide a platform for your followers to be heard.

2. Be Transparent: It’s easy to feel like avoiding controversy means staying silent. But consumers will see right through that. Instead, be clear about your brand’s values, whether that’s in support of outdoor preservation, traditional values, or supporting local communities. You don’t need to pick a side in every issue, but you do need to stand for something.

3. Build Community: Outdoor and adventure brands have a built-in community vibe. Bring them together. Host events, online or in person, that give people a chance to feel connected. For food and beverage brands, create spaces where consumers can engage with the brand values—whether that’s through a focus on health and wellness, local sourcing, or family traditions.

4. Leverage Influencers Mindfully: In a climate of high political tension, influencers carry even more weight. Be mindful of who you partner with. Look for those who authentically reflect your brand values. This might mean working with conservative influencers or those who champion the ideals of independence and individualism that are intrinsic to the outdoor and adventure lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

The political division in the U.S. isn’t something brands can ignore. For those of us working with outdoor, food, and beverage brands, this isn’t just noise—it’s a factor that impacts the core of how we engage with our audience. Robby Starbucks’s call for unity, and the clear frustration that follows, is a reflection of a significant part of the American consumer base. They feel unheard and unrepresented, and they’re looking for voices they can trust.

In the end, our brands have a choice: to stand by the sidelines or to lean into our values and become a voice that resonates with consumers who are tired of feeling ignored. It’s not about being political; it’s about being real. So, what’s your brand’s stand? Are you listening to the voices that matter?