Ben & Jerry’s says parent Unilever mandating silence on Trump

Ben & Jerry’s accuses its parent Unilever of demanding its silence toward US 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 says 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 says 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 has not immediately responded to requests for comment. Ben & Jerry’s has not immediately responded 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.

Unilever bought Ben & Jerry’s in 2000. They have battled publicly since 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in the West Bank. Its business there was later sold.

The planned spinoff comes as Unilever simplifies its product portfolio, which has dozens of brands including Dove, Hellmann’s, Knorr, Surf and Vaseline.