The sting of the “Go woke, go broke” mantra was felt once again by a company disparaging American values — the latest victim was Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
The Daily Caller noted the famed but sometimes controversial ice cream company lost an estimated $2.5 billion after their “July 4 tweet about ‘stolen indigenous land.’”
According to Google Finance data, Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s parent company, dropped from $52.32 per share to $51.37 per share as social media users called for a boycott.
Ben & Jerry’s is following in the steps of Target, Disney and Bud Light — all have taken multibillion-dollar hits after infusing left-leaning political initiatives in their promotional efforts and products.
On the Fourth of July, when many patriotic Americans were celebrating the nation’s notable history, Ben & Jerry’s chided America, accused its citizens of stealing “Indigenous land,” and suggested the government “commit to returning it.”
Their post was linked to this statement:
“Ah, the Fourth of July. Who doesn’t love a good parade, some tasty barbecue, and a stirring fireworks display? The only problem with all that, though, is that it can distract from an essential truth about this nation’s birth: The US was founded on stolen Indigenous land.
“This year, let’s commit to returning it.
Here’s why we need to start with Mount Rushmore.”
The social media post was not well-received and stirred considerable backlash, including calls for a boycott.
The Ben & Jerrys statement suggested giving back the land surrounding Mt. Rushmore to various Indian tribes but did not suggest giving back any land near their home offices in South Burlington, Vermont.
This is not the first time Ben & Jerry’s has been cited for progressive activism. Previous controversies have involved the brand’s decision to cease ice cream sales in select parts of Israel, advocacy for defunding the police, and collaborations with figures such as Colin Kaepernick and has allegations against them for migrant child labor usage.
Despite these incidents, neither Unilever nor Ben & Jerry’s have issued a response to requests for comments.
The New York Post reported that Unilever also faces further scrutiny for its ongoing business associations with Russia. This comes after allegations that Unilever’s subsidiaries have paid up to $331 million in taxes to the Kremlin, indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Unilever continues to sell products in Russia, including Cornetto ice cream, despite the invasion of Ukraine and calls to halt operations.
The company defended its decision to remain in Russia by citing the challenges of withdrawal and the potential for the Russian state to seize its assets.
Ben and Jerry’s also faces a class action lawsuit for allegedly using migrant child labor to process milk in its ice cream.
Unilever’s refusal to comment on these matters has drawn significant attention. The economic consequences of the company’s actions, as reflected in its recent market cap loss, showcase the power of consumers when faced with corporate stances they deem unacceptable.
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