Ben & Jerry's says parent Unilever mandating silence on Trump [View all]
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/
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