The left-wing ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s is once again making headlines—this time accusing its parent company, Unilever, of unlawfully ousting its CEO over his outspoken anti-Trump stance and progressive activism. The company is now taking Unilever to court, claiming that the removal of CEO David Stever violated a key agreement that was supposed to protect Ben & Jerry’s “social mission” from corporate interference.
Ben & Jerry’s Claims Retaliation Over CEO’s Political Activism
In a newly filed legal complaint, Ben & Jerry’s argues that Stever was fired because of his commitment to the company’s far-left activism, including its anti-Trump rhetoric and pro-Palestinian stances. According to the lawsuit, Unilever informed Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board on March 3 that Stever was being replaced—a move the ice cream maker insists was a clear violation of their 2000 merger agreement.
Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of inserting itself into political debates, often at the expense of its brand reputation. The company has repeatedly taken radical positions on social and political issues, including its controversial decision to halt sales in Israeli-occupied territories—a move that ignited international backlash and led Unilever to sell the Israeli branch of Ben & Jerry’s to a local licensee.
Unilever Pushes Back, Says It Followed Procedure
Unilever has responded to the accusations, arguing that it acted within its rights to replace Stever as CEO. The company maintains that it holds the authority to appoint or remove the brand’s leadership, while also noting that it attempted to consult with Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board before making a final decision.
A Unilever spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as unnecessary, saying:
“We are disappointed that the confidentiality of an employee career conversation has been made public. We followed all proper procedures and acted in good faith.”
Ben & Jerry’s Ongoing Feud with Its Parent Company
This lawsuit is just the latest escalation in an ongoing battle between Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s, which has repeatedly clashed over the ice cream maker’s hyper-political activism.
- In 2022, Unilever overrode Ben & Jerry’s decision to boycott Israel, opting instead to sell its Israeli operations rather than alienate international markets.
- Ben & Jerry’s has consistently positioned itself as a left-wing political machine, rather than focusing on selling ice cream, drawing backlash from customers and investors alike.
What’s Next?
Ben & Jerry’s is now seeking legal action to reinstate its CEO and prevent Unilever from interfering in its political activism. The case could set a major precedent regarding whether a subsidiary company can continue to push its activist agenda unchecked, even when owned by a larger corporation.
But with public patience wearing thin for companies that prioritize politics over products, Unilever may be making the right call in trying to rein in Ben & Jerry’s before its activism completely tanks the brand. One thing is clear: this battle is far from over, and the future of Ben & Jerry’s as a corporate activist powerhouse is now on the line.