Trump, Musk highlighted in Ben & Jerry’s suit against Unilever over social mission interference
The ice cream brand sued it parent company Unilever in 2024 for silencing its views on the war in Gaza, now it says it censored a statement about President Trump
President Donald Trump is mentioned alongside billionaires Elon Musk and Nelson Peltz in Ben & Jerry’s lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever.
Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. first took legal action against Unilever and its subsidiary, Conopco, filing a complaint in the US Southern District of New York in November.
In the initial complaint, Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever blocked it from making statements supporting Palestinians, which the company said breached a settlement agreement and prevented it from pursuing its social mission.
“Specifically, Unilever has repeatedly failed to recognise and respect the Independent Board’s primary responsibility over Ben & Jerry’s Social Mission and Brand Integrity, including threatening Ben & Jerry’s personnel should the company speak regarding issues which Unilever prefers to censor,” the complaint said.
Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever breached the settlement agreement “by threatening to dismantle the Independent Board, sue Board members, and intimidate Ben & Jerry’s personnel.”
The Vermont-based ice cream company has made political, social justice, and environmental activism part of its public identity. Most recently, Ben & Jerry’s official TikTok account promoted the People’s March in Washington, DC.
