Key facts
- Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, is in a dispute with the brand's owner, Magnum.
- Cohen alleges Magnum is preventing Ben & Jerry's from criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Cohen believes this action is "destroying" the brand's core values and future.
- Magnum states Ben & Jerry's remains a "bold voice for social justice" and has spoken on various issues.
- Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever in 2000, with an independent board overseeing its social mission.
- The brand contributed €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) to Unilever's ice cream unit revenue in 2024.
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, has stated that its current owner, Magnum, is actively "destroying" the brand's future by preventing it from criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump. Cohen argues that this restriction directly contradicts the progressive values and social justice stance that have defined Ben & Jerry's since its inception in 1978.
In an interview with Bloomberg's Zero podcast, Cohen expressed that "Trumpism is essentially the biggest attack on the values of Ben & Jerry’s since the company was founded and Magnum has said you cannot criticize Trump." He believes that stifling the brand's voice on such issues is hypocritical and could cause irreparable damage.
Magnum, however, maintains that Ben & Jerry's continues to operate as a "bold voice for social justice" under its ownership. A spokesperson cited recent statements made by the brand on topics including immigration, international conflicts, freedom of speech, and migrant justice as evidence of its ongoing activism.
Ben & Jerry's was acquired by consumer goods giant Unilever in 2000. A unique governance structure was established, allowing an independent board to protect the brand's social mission while Unilever managed product and financial operations. This arrangement reportedly facilitated Ben & Jerry's expansion into over 40 countries and a more than fivefold increase in revenue. In 2024, Ben & Jerry's contributed €1.1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion) to Unilever's ice cream unit, which generated a total of €8.3 billion.
The relationship reportedly deteriorated following a lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry's independent board, which alleged that Unilever was preventing the brand from commenting on the conflict in Gaza. This situation led to the resignation of six out of the nine independent board members in January.