When even Ben & Jerry’s can’t speak out, it’s clear: the era of corporate responsibility is over

‘“Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power,” Greenfield said.’ Photograph: Sipa US/Alamy

When the history of this era is written, there will be much to say about the behavior of large corporations. And none of it will be good.

As the Trump administration has ramped up its assault on American democracy, many corporations have chosen to look the other way or to curry favor with the president. They have fired employees who were too outspoken in their criticism of Donald Trump – ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talkshow, after Kimmel’s remarks about Maga’s reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk, is the latest example.