Ben & Jerrys, a brand synonymous with progressive activism, may soon see its reputation as the most socially conscious ice cream company in America come to a close.
The company has accused its parent company, Unilever, of dismissing CEO Dave Stever due to his refusal to "oversee the dismantling" of its progressive ethos. This accusation was made in a filing to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, where Ben & Jerrys alleged that Unilever, the British consumer goods titan known for brands like Marmite and Dove, aimed to curb the company's political expressions, including those critical of President Donald Trump.
According to Gateway Pundit, Anuradha Mittal, chair of Ben & Jerrys independent board, expressed in the court documents that "Dave has courageously advanced the companys social mission and values, has continued to drive innovation in its super premium product range, and has delivered strong financial results, far outpacing the rest of Unilevers ice-cream business."
Mittal further stated, "What Dave hasnt done is what Unilever would like him to do, which is to oversee the dismantling of Ben & Jerrys mission, progressive values. That is why the independent board has sued Unilever and why Unilever is seeking to punish the chief executive."
The tension between Ben & Jerrys and Unilever has been escalating, with the latter allegedly threatening the ice cream company's personnel, including Stever, if they do not align with Unilever's attempts to suppress the brand's social mission. On March 3, 2025, Unilever informed the independent board of its decision to remove and replace Stever as CEO.
Founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Vermont, Ben & Jerrys quickly evolved from a modest ice cream shop into a brand renowned for its left-wing activism. When Unilever acquired the company in 2000, an independent board was established to safeguard its "progressive values" against corporate influence.
Over the years, Ben & Jerrys has been vocal in its support for various liberal causes, including defunding the police, endorsing Black Lives Matter, boycotting Israeli settlements, advocating for open borders, and promoting radical climate initiatives. The company frequently issues statements on race, gender, and social justice issues, asserting that these efforts are integral to its business operations and its mission to "eliminate injustices in our communities."
This ongoing legal battle highlights the broader tension between corporate governance and the preservation of ideological values within a business framework. As the situation unfolds, it raises questions about the future direction of Ben & Jerrys and the extent to which its progressive mission can be maintained under the ownership of a global conglomerate like Unilever.
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