Debut Of Purple Peanut M&M Once Again Has Conservative Media Railing Against Woke Candy

The debut of a new M&M character has some conservative media outlets trotting out the hits, as once again, the reign of "woke candy" has become a trending story in multiple publications.

In September, Mars introduced a Purple M&M with a big musical number in which she sings about being nervous and excited for her debut in the classic colorful M&M cast, but also admits to being awkward yet unafraid to "be herself." She's the first female peanut M&M in the lineup, joining Yellow and Blue in the candy's peanut gallery.

Recently, she finally made her debut on an M&M package, standing upside down alongside Green and Brown over the tagline "Supporting Women. Flipping the Status Quo."

Whether this feminist marketing plot resonates with, annoys or simply doesn't matter to consumers is of course a matter of personal taste, but one thing is for certain — a handful of conservative media outlets have extrapolated quite a bit of "woke messaging" from this package and begun covering it.

The Daily Mail kicked things off by saying Purple was a "plus size" candy meant to "represent body positivity." It also called Green and Brown a "lesbian couple," citing a 2015 tweet from the company that showed Green and Brown hanging out at a beach.

It’s rare Ms. Brown and I get to spend time together without some colorful characters barging in. – Ms. Green pic.twitter.com/hnoktsAgAW

— M&M'S (@mmschocolate) June 28, 2015

However, Mars has never commented on the sexual orientation of its anthropomorphized candy. Regarding Purple, the company is also not emphasizing her being "plus-sized," though she is larger than her female compatriots on account of her encasing a peanut (similar to the classic Yellow character).

"There is so much about our new spokescandy that people can relate to and appreciate, including her willingness to embrace her true self – our new character reminds us to celebrate what makes us unique," Jane Hwang, global VP at Mars Wrigley, said of the new Purple mascot.

One of the most outspoken critics of the recent round of "woke M&Ms discourse" was once again Tucker Carlson, who made headlines a year ago when M&M first announced the "modern makeover" of their mascots when he complained that M&Ms were now "deeply unappealing" and "totally androgynous."

"Until the moment you wouldn’t want to have a drink with any one of them. That’s the goal. When you’re totally turned off, we’ve achieved equity," Carlson said over a chyron that read, "Miserable, non-binary candy is all we deserve."

Carlson ran another Fox News segment on Purple last night, though this time, some people online wondered if even he was exasperated at manufacturing outrage over chocolate morsels.

This is so unbelievably funny genuinely no notes pic.twitter.com/6vV3TGXY2h

— DJ LEASHKID (@leash_kid_) January 11, 2023

"Woke M&Ms have returned," Carlson said (perhaps recalling a certain meme).

"The green M&M … is now a lesbian? Maybe? And there's also a plus-sized, obese, purple M&M. So we're gonna cover that, of course," he sighed, adding in a sing-song voice, "Because that's what we dooo."

The clip of the segment has since spread online, with many Twitter users offering their own takes or memeing it.

god hes at the end of his rope https://t.co/WICZyabK4O

— wurmpas ⭐🦒 (@wurmpas) January 12, 2023

Tucker very nearly letting the mask slip to reveal his utter contempt for his audience https://t.co/tKGTlyXkQU

— logo, the ham bunder (@logophobe) January 12, 2023

"because thats what we do" this nigga tired of his own grift 😭 https://t.co/ujYycPWZf4

— ⓑⓛⓐⓚⓔ (@drywallcrumbs) January 12, 2023

Other users have also denounced or criticized M&M for the viral marketing attempt, some quoting the usual "go woke go broke" tagline, as well as those who have generally dismissed it or poked fun at it.

I am DONE with M&M's!

Not one M&M will pass my lips until Mars issues a formal apology and releases an all-male package of M&M's to demonstrate their commitment to gender equality.

These female M&M's are a slap in the face to men everywhere. We MUST band together and boycott! pic.twitter.com/KtZJR3feTW

— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) January 12, 2023

I see no trans M&Ms. This is an outrageously cisgender representation. https://t.co/7cjAPB1vPj

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 10, 2023

women: can we have reproductive rights plz

America: best I can do is give you some female m&m’s https://t.co/beSzuY9Chm

— em ~ in her barbie movie era 💖 (@_EMMinem) January 9, 2023

The Purple M&M discussion joins the recent gas stove ban discourse in a week that has seen some conservatives mocked for their outrage over what others see as "trivial" or "overblown" matters.

Someone please help, a gay M&M just broke into my house and forcibly removed my gas stove :( https://t.co/nBCYNBJrQ3

— Stangle’s Kid (Parody) (@lisasaurstomp) January 12, 2023