I don't think that is indeed enough to instigate a "nasty backlash" (read: people in society shunning you for jerk behavior) if the "narrative" is that kittens are cute, but certainly it'd be reasonable for society to shun someone who seems hateful. It certainly seems on its face to be a trollish statement (designed to inflame rather than understand), given that it omits any details.

> "kittens are cute" is droll corp-speak

Is it? According to who? I certainly don't think so. My corporation hasn't said that at any point. Are you sure you aren't using the term to mentally dismiss anything which disagrees with your theory?