Ben & Jerry’s, one of the most notable ice cream companies recognized globally, recently accused their parent company of removing their CEO, Dave Stever, over the brand’s famed social media activism.
In a new lawsuit filed in a Manhattan federal court, Ben & Jerry’s said that Unilver, the brand’s parent company, is attempting to silence their social media posts about topics such as the war on Gaza, Black History Month and free speech in the U.S. through the abrupt removal of Stever.
Stever was reportedly let go on March 3 after becoming CEO in May 2023- three decades after first becoming a part of the company as a tour guide. Under his tenure, Ben & Jerry’s earned the second spot on the Brand 500 Authenticity Index for two consecutive years. Stever’s recent firing, per the lawsuit, comes after Unilever reportedly criticized him for permitting the posting of certain social media posts.
BREAKING: Ben & Jerry’s says CEO has been fired over “progressive” stance by board, just days after the icecream company announced it was celebrating “abortion provider day.” BOYCOTT BEN AND JERRYS pic.twitter.com/5iNIRps2Xq
— Brianna (@hate4snoop666) March 19, 2025
Ben & Jerry’s also alleges that his removal breaches their 2000 merger agreement, which launched the creation of an independent board for the brand and gave them responsibility for the “Social Mission and Essential Integrity of the Brand.”
Unilever has filed a motion to dismiss the complaint as a response, claiming that the board cannot bring lawsuits on behalf of the company and that the lawsuit does not specify what damages resulted from Stever’s removal.
“Contrary to their obligations under Section 6.14, Unilever has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry’s personnel, including CEO David Stever, should they fail to comply with Unilever’s efforts to silence the Social Mission,” said Ben & Jerry’s spokesperson per the lawsuit per NPR. “This month … Unilever followed through with their threats.”
According to the parent company, the issue between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever stems from Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling its products in occupied areas of the West Bank. Since then, Unilever has reportedly blocked the company from posting “in support of peace and human rights” concerning the war in Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In recent weeks, the company has been blocked from posting about Mahmoud Khalil and Black History Month for the month-long celebration.
Per the company, they’ve also been prohibited from posting about climate change, abortion and universal healthcare because they have made mention of President Donald Trump.
Speaking to Reuters, Doug Chia, the president of an advisory firm, said that the censorship reflects companies’ increased fear of the Trump administration’s anti-DEI campaign.
In the number of weeks since his second term, President Trump has signed a number of executive orders targeting DEI programs in all sectors of the government, such as the Department of Defense. Over 50 universities are also set to be investigated by the administration for their DEI programs while they have also pressured companies into dropping their DEI initiatives.
A number of companies, such as Walmart, Lowe’s and Meta, have already conceded to the pressure while companies such as Apple and Ben & Jerry’s have rejected anti-DEI proposals.
Since its conception in 1978 by founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s has used their platform to advocate for social justice causes.
Throughout the years, the company has been outspoken about a number of causes, speaking out about climate change through a collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature, denying two scoops of ice cream in Australia on account of the government’s denial of same-sex legalization in 2017 and supporting the “Defund the Police” movement.
Ben of Ben and Jerry's.
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) March 22, 2025
"I don't believe the US is a democracy.
It's supposed to be one person, one vote, but it's one dollar one vote.
Billionaires & corporations control our legislation through lobbying, they control who gets elected."
He’s right.
pic.twitter.com/LJcmhmeoeS
Cohen and Greenfield supported Stever in a statement, calling him a “tireless champion” of the company’s values.
“We believe there’s no one better to lead Ben & Jerry’s at this moment in its history,” said the founders per WSJ. “While we don’t have insight into Unilever’s decision, we do know this: we stand 110% behind Dave. As CEO, he’s continued to lead with courage and integrity, delivering on our Social Mission while posting strong global growth last year, his first full year in the role.”
