Ben & Jerry's says parent Unilever mandating silence on Trump

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

February 14, 2025 10:55 AM EST Updated 4 hours ago


NEW YORK, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Ben & Jerry's accused its parent Unilever (ULVR.L) of demanding its silence toward U.S. President Donald Trump, as it prepares to spin off the ice cream brand later this year. In a Thursday night filing in Manhattan federal court, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever ice cream chief Peter ter Kulve earlier in the day unilaterally banned it from "issuing any posts criticizing President Trump" pending further review.

Ben & Jerry's said ter Kulve cited Unilever's restructuring in defending his actions, saying it created a "new dynamic" in an "unprecedented time." Ter Kulve previously banned a planned post on hot-button issues when Trump was inaugurated on January 20 because the post mentioned Trump, Ben & Jerry's has said.

Unilever did not immediately respond on Friday to requests for comment. Ben & Jerry's did not immediately respond to a similar request. Ben & Jerry's accusations came in its lawsuit seeking to stop Unilever's alleged efforts to dismantle its independent board and end its social activism.

Many companies have altered social policies, including on diversity, or appeared to show deference toward Trump since he began his second White House term. Ben & Jerry's has had a socially conscious mission since being founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ben-jerrys-says-parent-unilever-mandating-silence-trump-2025-02-14/

[pfitz59]

1. The oligarchy must shrivel up and fade away

corporatism is the death of freedom.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Corporations are closing ranks

Fear? What are they up to? Hoping to squeeze another 7% out of production and consumption?

If everyone thinks alike, what good is AI?

[C_U_L8R]

3. I vote with my wallet every day.

And fuck Unilever.

[kimbutgar]

4. Unilever products we need to boycott

https://www.unilever.com/brands/all-brands/

AXE
CLoseup
Dove
Hellmans
Knorr
Ponds
Pepsodent
TresSeme
Vaseline.

I only named the ones I am familiar with but this list shows all of them

We need to boycott these companies and hurt their bottom lines

[Igel]

8. Well, gee.

Apparently I've been boycotting them straight along. (Seriously, I have no idea what most of those brands even are.)

Mostly because store brands are often cheaper. Plus I make my own soap.

[returnee]

5. I will now boycott.

No matter how much it hurts.

[Wiz Imp]

6. I don't expect Ben & Jerry's to comply

I mean what's Unilever going to do to them?

[nilram]

7. They might be unmuzzled when the spinoff is complete.

I don't buy Ben & Jerry's very often but I appreciate that they at least want to speak out.

[wolfie001]

9. Obviously, a rich toady for Netherlander wealthy Right-Wingers

F6ck that mf'er. That's as diplomatic as I can be. He should know the value of freedom with his country so close to what once was Nazi Germany. The Reich. I just picked up 2 containers of B & J. I haven't bought ice cream in over a year.

[Figarosmom]

10. This shit gas to stop

Are they being threatened with audits or something?

All these companies falling I. Line are afraid of something. Was Disney a test in Florida to see what they could get away with? So now they have gone national.

[Hotler]

11. Do not underestimate the power and leverage of your consumer dollars.

https://democraticunderground.com/10113602

[4catsmom]

12. Resist

you're not supposed to comply ahead of time unless you're absolute cowards like Unilever

[Eugene]

13. Ben & Jerry's boss 'ousted over political activism'

Ben & Jerry's boss 'ousted over political activism' (BBC)

Ben & Jerry's has said its chief executive, David Stever, was being removed by its parent company, Unilever, in a growing dispute over the ice cream company's political activism.

The allegation was part of a legal case filed in a US court by Ben & Jerry's that says Unilever violated a merger agreement by trying to silence its "social mission".

Unilever did not immediately reply to a request for comment from BBC News.

It comes a month after the ice cream company accused Unilever of demanding that it stops publicly criticising US President Donald Trump.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143396434

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Yeah I have a CNN article ready to roll.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143421286