In a recent controversy that has created quite a stir across the nation, Ben and Jerry’s, the famous ice cream company, has ignited a significant uproar following a provocative tweet on the historically celebrated day of July 4th. This tweet criticized the very foundations of America, leading to severe financial repercussions for their parent company, Unilever, which has seen billions wiped off its market worth.
While most businesses take the opportunity to share patriotic messages on social media during Independence Day, Ben and Jerry’s decided to take a different route. Their tweet was a bold statement, declaring, “The United States was Founded on Stolen Indigenous Land. This Fourth of July, Let’s Commit to Returning It.”
This 4th of July, it’s high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: https://t.co/45smaBmORH pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE
The message unfortunately did not include any specific plans on how the land should be returned. Instead, it encouraged followers to “learn more and take action now.” This statement did not sit well with the public, leading to a significant backlash.
Many people quickly expressed their displeasure, with some suggesting that Ben and Jerry’s should lead by example and hand over their properties to Native American tribes. Even country musician John Rich joined in, urging the company to transfer their factories and stores to the rightful indigenous owners. His tweet was widely supported, with many agreeing by retweeting his sentiments.
One commenter echoed these thoughts, demanding that Ben and Jerry’s take immediate action or face being labeled hypocrites. They stated, “How about YOU take action now! Otherwise, like most Leftists, you are hypocrites.”
Happening Now: Ben and Jerry’s parent company Unilever has lost $2.5 billion in market cap and continues to drop. On the 4th of July Ben and Jerry’s called for returning stolen indigenous land even though they currently run a 200,000 sq ft plant on “indigenous” land. They’ve… pic.twitter.com/7tgdMevhRM
The public response has led to a growing call for a boycott of Ben and Jerry’s products on social media. Consumers are comparing it to the “Bud Light Treatment,” referencing the successful boycotts against Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch brands. As a result, Unilever has reportedly faced a massive $2.5 billion hit in market value.
Many are now researching and identifying other brands owned by Unilever, advocating for a broader boycott. This consumer activism is reminiscent of the backlash other companies have faced for similar reasons, showing conservatives that their collective voice and spending power can indeed create change. The question remains whether Ben and Jerry’s will suffer long-term consequences from this incident.
Ben and Jerry’s has a history of making bold statements on social and political issues, but conservative consumers are increasingly pushing back against company stances they disagree with. They are unified in their effort to hold companies accountable and to make it clear that attacks on America’s values won’t be tolerated.
As this situation develops, it serves as a powerful reminder that even well-known brands are not insulated from the impacts of alienating their customer base. Ben and Jerry’s is currently dealing with the significant fallout from their tweet, facing financial strains and a lot of uncertainties about their future. This episode stands as a cautionary tale for other companies about the risks of engaging in controversial social activism.
