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Ben & Jerry's has accused its parent company, Unilever, of ousting its CEO, Dave Stever.

The popular ice cream brand has claimed Stever was let go not because of poor performance but because its social mission and brand integrity.

In court documents, Ben & Jerry's has also accused Unilever of removing its CEO without even consulting directors, according to reports. Stever began his career with the ice cream maker as a tour guide in 1988. He became CEO in 2023.

Stever's ousting as CEO comes amidst Unilever's alleged attempts to suppress its subsidiary's social mission. Unilever has been accused of stopping Ben & Jerry's from honoring Black History Month, as well as from speaking out against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent US resident who the Trump administration wants to deport.

Is This All Because of Trump?

Back in January, Ben & Jerry's also accused Unilever of putting a stop to a social policy statement it wanted to release? According to the ice cream maker, this was because the statement mentioned President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, Ben & Jerry's has filed a complaint in Manhattan, seeking continued oversight of its social mission for its board.

A previous lawsuit settled in 2022 required Unilever to respect its subsidiary's independent board, as well as its social mission. Unilever was also required to make $25 million of payments to groups chosen by Ben & Jerry's.