In a move that’s got social media buzzing, Unilever, the parent company of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, recently ousted CEO David Stever. The shake-up has drawn cheers from MAGA supporters and sparked outrage among the brand’s loyal fans.
Ben & Jerry’s has long been known for its bold stances on social and political issues. Over the past year, the company has taken to its platforms to criticize President Donald Trump, protest military actions in Gaza, and back the movement to defund the police. This unapologetic activism hasn’t sat well with everyone, leading to a clash with Unilever.
Back in November, Ben & Jerry’s took legal action against Unilever, accusing the conglomerate of trying to muzzle its progressive voice and dismantle its independent board. Fast forward to this month, and the ice cream maker doubled down, filing an amended complaint alleging that Unilever booted Stever without the board’s nod—a move they claim violates their merger agreement.
Unilever, on the other hand, isn’t backing down. The company argues that while it supports Ben & Jerry’s activism, the brand’s recent forays into “one-sided, highly controversial, and polarizing topics” have crossed a line, putting both companies and their employees in a tight spot.
The online community is split. Fans of Ben & Jerry’s are rallying behind the brand, praising its commitment to social justice. One user commented, “This is insane because Ben and Jerry’s have ALWAYS been on the right side of issues.” Another chimed in, “Ben and Jerry’s ethics have done a lot for the world, going out of their way to support multiple groups without caring for their profits.”
But not everyone is scooping up what Ben & Jerry’s is serving. MAGA supporters are celebrating Stever’s departure, accusing the brand of pushing “ultra-far-left” politics. Chadwick Moore, known for his biography on Tucker Carlson, tweeted, “Smart to fire him. How many other people stopped buying Ben & Jerry’s over their silly and toxic activism?”
Some even took it further, accusing the brand of promoting harmful agendas. One critic wrote, “Thank you for firing the Ben and Jerry’s CEO who was promoting the murder of babies, along with the lies about voting and other nonsense.”
Adding another layer to the drama, reports suggest that Unilever’s actions might be influenced by board member Nelson Peltz, a billionaire financier who signaled support for Trump last March. This connection has fueled speculation about the true motives behind Stever’s firing.
Unilever, a heavyweight in the consumer goods arena, owns a slew of other brands like Dove, Hellmann’s, Vaseline, and Lipton. The company’s clash with Ben & Jerry’s highlights the tightrope corporations walk when balancing brand identity with broader corporate strategies.
As the legal battle unfolds, one thing’s clear: Ben & Jerry’s isn’t backing down from its commitment to social activism. Whether this stance will sweeten or sour its relationship with Unilever remains to be seen.
