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Trump Takes Credit for Budweiser Rebranding as 'America'

May 11, 2016

Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump appeared to take credit Wednesday for Budweiser rebranding itself as "America" this year.

Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy led off the phone interview with Trump by asking about the surprising announcement from the Belgian-owned beer company.

"You know somebody who's trying to make America great again is Donald Trump, who joins us on the line," Doocy said. "Donald Trump, do you think you had something to do with Budweiser changing the name of their beer for the summer from Budweiser to America?"

"Do they owe you money?" co-host Brian Kilmeade added.

"I think so. They're so impressed with what our country will become that they decided to this before the fact," Trump said.

It was unclear if Trump was simply being dryly humorous, as the Fox hosts appeared to be asking the question as a lighthearted way of launching the interview.

The beer company is replacing Budweiser with "America" this summer on its 12-ounce cans and bottles, through the election in November. The motto "King of Beers" will also be placed with "E Pluribus Unum."

Trump effectively wrapped up the Republican nomination last week after remaining rivals Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and Ohio Gov. John Kasich dropped out of the race. Trump moved closer to officially clinching the GOP bid with victories Tuesday in Nebraska and West Virginia.