Ben & Jerry’s says Unilever fired ice cream maker’s CEO over anti-Trump stance

New York Post - Mar 19th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Ben & Jerry’s has accused its parent company, Unilever, of removing its CEO, David Stever, due to the brand's political activism, particularly its stance against Israel's actions in Gaza and its support for Palestinian refugees. The removal is claimed to violate a 2000 merger agreement that protects Ben & Jerry's independence. The ice cream company alleges that Unilever's actions are part of a broader attempt to suppress its social mission, citing incidents where Unilever blocked Ben & Jerry’s from making posts on various progressive issues, including those critical of former President Trump.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever, which has reportedly considered selling the ice cream brand. This conflict underscores the challenges companies face when aligning corporate governance with social activism. Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are contemplating buying back the brand to regain control over its political voice. This case exemplifies the complexities of corporate ownership and brand identity, especially when social issues are at the forefront of a brand's mission.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed account of the ongoing legal and corporate dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever, focusing on allegations of political censorship and corporate governance violations. While the story is timely and of significant public interest, it primarily presents one side of the narrative, lacking balance and a response from Unilever. The reliance on a court filing as the primary source adds some credibility, but the absence of additional sources or expert commentary limits the depth and reliability of the reporting. The article is clear and engaging, effectively summarizing the main points, but it could benefit from greater transparency regarding the basis for some claims and efforts to obtain comments from all parties involved. Overall, the story succeeds in capturing readers' attention and sparking discussion, though it leaves some questions unanswered due to the lack of a comprehensive perspective.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with the general context of the ongoing legal and corporate dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever. The central claim that Unilever ousted Ben & Jerry’s CEO due to political activism is a serious allegation that is supported by a court filing, which lends credibility. However, the lack of direct comments from Unilever leaves some claims unverified, particularly regarding the alleged threats and censorship of social media posts. The article correctly identifies the key events and timeline, such as the March 3 notification about CEO David Stever's replacement, but it lacks additional context or evidence from Unilever's perspective, which would strengthen its accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents Ben & Jerry’s perspective, highlighting their accusations against Unilever without offering a detailed counterpoint or response from Unilever. This creates an imbalance, as the reader receives a one-sided view of the dispute. While it mentions that Unilever did not respond to requests for comment, the absence of their perspective or any attempt to provide context from Unilever's past statements or actions contributes to a lack of balance. Including more diverse viewpoints or historical context about the companies' relationship could provide a more rounded narrative.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, effectively summarizing the main points of the dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever. The language is straightforward, and the narrative follows a logical progression, making it easy for readers to understand the key issues. However, the article could benefit from clearer attributions for some of the claims, especially those related to the alleged threats and censorship, to avoid any potential confusion.

5
Source quality

The story's reliance on a court filing as a primary source adds a level of credibility, but the lack of additional sources or expert commentary weakens the overall source quality. The article does not cite any external experts or independent analysts who could provide insights into the legal and corporate implications of the claims. Furthermore, the absence of direct quotes or statements from involved parties, particularly Unilever, limits the depth and reliability of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for some of its claims, particularly those related to Unilever's alleged threats and censorship. While it references a court filing, it does not provide details on how the information was obtained or the specific content of the filing. Additionally, the article does not clarify whether the journalist attempted to contact other stakeholders or experts for comment, which would enhance transparency regarding the reporting process.

Sources

  1. https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2025/03/19/unilever-allegedly-wants-to-fire-ben-jerrys-ceo/
  2. https://fortune.com/europe/2025/03/19/unilever-oppressiveness-ben-jerrys-ceo-sacked-social-mission/