GOP Texas Senator Ted Cruz had a conniption fit over Ben & Jerry's ice cream's announcement expressing solidarity with abortion providers.
On March 10, the Vermont-based ice cream company recognized National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, which honors those who help individuals who are seeking abortions overcome obstacles at a time when access to reproductive healthcare has faced increasing threats from conservatives.
Some examples of compassionate and courageous providers include clinic administrators, patient advocates, counselors, medical assistants, and advanced practice clinicians.
To mark the annual celebratory occasion, Ben & Jerry's took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"Today is National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day! We stand with abortion providers today and every day."
Among the many conservatives who seethed at the post was anti-abortion activist Lila Rose, who was enraged by the ice cream maker for "celebrating the killing of babies."
She wrote on X:
"Ben & Jerry’s are publicly celebrating abortionists today. Despicable and horrific."
"An ice cream company celebrating the killing of babies. Time to boycott them!"
Cruz, in turn, shared Rose's post and tweeted:
"Tragic. Ben & Jerry’s hates you and openly hates your values."
Social media users weighed in on Cruz's petulant whining.
Let them play these stupid games while the economy crashes. Don’t take the bait. Ted can talk about Ben & Jerry’s while we talk about people having to work another 5 years because their retirement got wiped out by Trump. The economy!
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— Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Ben& Jerry's is a private company. Ted Cruz openly hates me and my values, and I'm one of his constituents who pay his salary.
— dnezzysmith.bsky.social (@dnezzysmith.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Ted Cruz is a mean spirited, liar just like Trump. I’d definitely believe Ben & Jerry’s over him any time. They are a great company but not Trump and his fellow Republican sycophants on the Hill.
— cubanaenct.bsky.social (@cubanaenct.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I openly hate Ted Cruz and I would hate his values if he had any.
— eric2718.bsky.social (@eric2718.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Republicans, the feckless party of distractions and no substance. Texas, should have voted Cruz out of office while you had the chance.
— A Buffoon Walks Into The Oval Office... (@alter-idem.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I just think it's funny that Ted Cruz still believes he's relevant.
— Derrick ♎ 🟧 🟦#BLM 🏳️🌈 (@spawn03.bsky.social) March 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Ben & Jerry's shared a link to a page giving five reasons why they stand with providers on the commemorative day and every day.
The five reasons include, "Some on the Right Are Trying to Silence Providers and Close Clinics;" "Providers Are Being Threatened and Physically Attacked;" "Communities of Color are Disproportionately Impacted;" "The Movement Is Fighting Back;" and "Abortion Care Providers Need Our Support."
Siri—add Ben n Jerry’s to my shopping list!
— Get Real⚜️💯support🇺🇦 (@get-real.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I’m going to buy a ton of Ben and Jerry’s on my lunch break today
— Shellmer (@shellmer25.bsky.social) March 12, 2025 at 6:15 AM
The page also cited an example of a Texas law that bans all abortions, except to save a mother's life, and makes performing an abortion a felony now punishable by up to life in prison.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, conservatives and anti-abortionists have threatened and intimidated providers across the country to prevent them from providing access to abortions.
National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was created to honor Dr. David Gunn, who was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist on March 10, 1993.
Ben & Jerry's has been outspoken on a variety of injustices on social media, including LGBTQ+ and environmental issues, as well as politics.
Following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol incited by then-outgoing Republican President Donald Trump after he lost the 2020 election, Ben & Jerry's called for Trump's impeachment.
In a series of tweets, Ben & Jerry's said of the insurrection:
“Yesterday was not a protest—it was a riot to uphold white supremacy."
They concluded with:
“Resign, impeach, 25th Amendment…not one more day.”
In January, Ben & Jerry's board chair Anuradha Mittal called for a "permanent and immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, citing that the call for peace was "consistent with the company's history and values."
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