# Jerry (of Ben and Jerry's) Quits over Stifling of Speech **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125 "2025-09-17T13:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/1 "2025-09-17T13:45:48Z")
> # **Jerry Quits Ben & Jerry’s, Claiming Company Has Been ‘Silenced, Sidelined’** > > He spoke out against the Trump administration in his announcement about his departure. > > Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the ice cream brand after 47 years, saying that the independence it once had to speak up on social issues has been stifled by parent company Unilever. > > In a [letter](https://x.com/YoBenCohen/status/1968161740757119057) that co-founder Ben Cohen posted on social media platform X on Greenfield’s behalf, Greenfield said that he felt the independence the brand had to speak on social issues and events was lost to Unilever. > > “For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world,” he wrote. “That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever, one that enshrined our social mission and values in the company’s governance structure in perpetuity. It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone.” More here: > **[Jerry Quits Ben & Jerry's, Claiming Company Has Been 'Silenced, Sidelined'](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-jerrys-cofounder-leaving_n_68cab5b5e4b0ce33ec38ef01?origin=home-latest-news-unit)** > > He spoke out against the Trump administration in his announcement about his departure. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/2 "2025-09-17T14:20:37Z")
Damn it. Now I might have to boycott them, and I eat a lot of B&J. have at least four cartons in my freezer, usually more, at all times. A third of a carton of B&J is my evening dessert most nights. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/3 "2025-09-17T14:28:01Z")
He doesn’t seem very clear on what Unilever actually did to prompt this. A while back, my mom decided to support a Canadian ice cream company because she read a piece about how they continued to pay all their staff after a fire at their facility. She wasn’t their customer before that because she thought their product was pretty low quality. Her new enthusiasm lasted one purchase because the ice cream was still lousy. Sometimes the ice cream is the most important part. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/4 "2025-09-17T15:08:01Z")
What intrigued me about this story was the merger agreement with Unilever. By Jerry’s account, Ben & Jerry’s was able to continue pursuing its “social mission and values” for over 20 years after the merger. That’s not nothing. However, if this agreement had been binding “in perpetuity” as Jerry thought, Unilever would not be able to undo it now. So could a smaller company joining a larger firm craft a merger agreement more legally binding than this one? Or is the larger firm always in the position to simply renege on its promises? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/5 "2025-09-17T15:19:57Z")
The story at the link says Unilever is spinning off its ice cream brands to a stand alone company. Maybe that changes the terms of the deal and Jerry is reacting to that. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/6 "2025-09-17T15:28:35Z")
In Unilever’s defense, they may be afraid of a lawsuit. A long time Trump methodology is to file lawsuits as a form of intimidation against entities he considers enemies. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/7 "2025-09-17T15:57:57Z")
I’d bet unilever put some clause about getting to decide that basically anything they want could be damaging to their reputation. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/8 "2025-09-17T16:01:20Z")
All respect to Ben and Jerry for being able to craft such a deal when they were being bought out, and it speaks volumes for the value of their brand that they were able to carry it off for twenty years. If, at their ages, they haven’t learned that nothing is forever except greed and lust for power, I am sorry for their naïveté. Jerry leaving will have no effect whatever. Flouncing never does. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/9 "2025-09-17T16:04:31Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Jerry leaving will have no effect whatever. Flouncing never does. I respect him for doing that though. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/10 "2025-09-17T18:55:27Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Jerry leaving will have no effect whatever. Flouncing never does. > [@enipla](#): > > I respect him for doing that though Yep. Not wanting to be a part of something he can no longer control, which was a core element of his company, is admirable. Now that he’s no longer with the company, he’s free to speak out as loud and as often as he wants, with no censorship from Unilever. Good for him. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/11 "2025-09-17T19:31:29Z")
But he can’t speak by means of the products any more, which is surely whence they got whatever influence they had. I suppose they can’t stop him from speaking out as “Jerry, formerly of Ben and Jerry’s,” for what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/12 "2025-09-17T21:13:43Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > However, if this agreement had been binding “in perpetuity” as Jerry thought, Unilever would not be able to undo it now As we’ve all learned, a contract (or constitution) is only as strong as the ability to enforce its terms. Unilever may be under a binding contract, and just ignoring it. 10 years and a few million later and Jerry might win the lawsuit, and the ousted CEO is put back in charge, but by then does it matter? If Unilever or Magnus or whoever are going to fight and contravene every decision the old guard make, it might be time to leave. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/13 "2025-09-17T21:17:19Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Damn it. Now I might have to boycott them, and I eat a lot of B&J. Ben is staying to try to fight the good fight from within. Neither Ben nor Jerry were involved in the company’s operations after Unilever bought them, they were solely there for the social mission. The main issue is that none of the Unilever executive who were involved in the original purchase agreement are with the company anymore, so the understanding between B&J and Unilever over what the spirit of the agreement was faded away. Reading through the lines in the reports over the past few weeks is that Unilever is afraid that B&J will piss off Trump, so they have started censoring B&J’s statements. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/14 "2025-09-17T21:47:53Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > But he can’t speak by means of the products any more, which is surely whence they got whatever influence they had. _Illegal Detention by ICE [size=1]cream[/size]_? ETA: What is the tag for small text these days? ---
**Author:** ![Xocomil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xocomil/32/14927_2.png) [@Xocomil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xocomil)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/15 "2025-09-17T22:06:32Z")
In their defense, they’re craven? In their defense? ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/16 "2025-09-17T22:25:07Z")
People do not quit succesful business’ So it must be a failing business. Jerry is just taking this opportunity to get out and retire. The rest is just Media fluff. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/17 "2025-09-18T00:01:40Z")
He’s 74 years old. Maybe he’s just too old for this kind of BS. Surely he has all the money he’ll ever need. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/18 "2025-09-18T00:06:26Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > A while back, my mom decided to support a Canadian ice cream company because she read a piece about how they continued to pay all their staff after a fire at their facility. [Chapman’s Ice Cream](https://www.chapmans.ca/) makes a good product, at a good price, and they run their business honourably. They also supported their staff during COVID and offered up freezer space for vaccine storage if required. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/19 "2025-09-18T00:27:40Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > People do not quit succesful business’ So it must be a failing business. Jerry is just taking this opportunity to get out and retire. The rest is just Media fluff. …this thread is missing a lot of context. > [@](#): > > Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s said in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that parent company Unilever [(ULVR.L), opens new tab](https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/ULVR.L) has silenced its attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees and threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue. > > The lawsuit is the latest sign of the long-simmering tensions between Ben & Jerry’s and consumer products maker Unilever, which is planning to [spin out](https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/unilever-spin-off-ben-jerrys-unit-launches-cost-savings-plan-2024-03-19/) its ice cream business next year. > > … > > But, according to the lawsuit, “Ben & Jerry’s has on four occasions attempted to publicly speak out in support of peace and human rights. Unilever has silenced each of these efforts.” > > … > > Ben & Jerry’s said in an email: “We are confident that these issues will ultimately be resolved. Due to the ongoing nature of the litigation, we are unable to comment on the specifics.” [https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ben-jerrys-says-parent-unilever-silenced-it-over-gaza-stance-2024-11-14/](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/ben-jerrys-says-parent-unilever-silenced-it-over-gaza-stance-2024-11-14/) It wasn’t mentioned in the statement, presumably because the litigation is (from what I can gather) ongoing. But this didn’t come out of nowhere. And I have no reason to believe this was anything other than a principled decision. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-of-ben-and-jerrys-quits-over-stifling-of-speech/1023125/20 "2025-09-18T11:45:43Z")
It’s standard business for corporations to “play ‘D’” when it comes to controversial issues that may negatively impact their businesses. I’m not saying it’s fair or right or whatever, but I understand it. In education, staff is well aware that, in the event of student or parent accusations, administration is going to give you the ax because, even if you are innocent, they do not want to appear to be protecting the guilty. I can’t think of a major business that doesn’t record customer calls for (nudge, wink), “quality assurance”. The message should, instead, be: “to cover our asses”.