Ben & Jerry’s says its parent company, Unilever, forced out CEO David Stever because of his political activism. The ice cream brand claims Unilever wants to silence its activism, a key part of its identity since it started.
The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. court, alleges that Unilever violated their merger agreement. Ben & Jerry’s believes Unilever is trying to undermine its “social mission,” which the company considers essential to its operations and public image.
Unilever has not yet responded to these allegations.
Ongoing Clashes Over Public Statements
The dispute began after accusations that Unilever pressured Ben & Jerry’s to stop criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the court filing in the Southern District of New York, Unilever allegedly threatened company leadership, including CEO David Stever, for refusing to avoid political commentary.
Ben & Jerry’s has supported progressive causes like climate change action and LGBTQ+ rights. Since Unilever acquired the brand in 2000, an independent board was established to protect its values. But tensions between the companies have been growing.
The conflict worsened in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s decided to stop selling products in the West Bank. The situation escalated over the past year as the company publicly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, creating more friction between the brand and Unilever.
Legal Battle Over Leadership Decisions
In November, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever for allegedly trying to prevent it from expressing support for Palestinian refugees. Last month, another court filing accused Unilever of stopping the ice cream maker from speaking out against former U.S. President Donald Trump.
David Stever started his career at Ben & Jerry’s as a tour guide in 1988 and became CEO in 2023. The lawsuit claims Unilever removed him without consulting the independent board, violating their merger agreement.
The filing also states that Unilever tried to pressure the board into approving Stever’s removal without proper discussion. This legal battle reveals the growing divide between Ben & Jerry’s and its corporate owner, Unilever.