Mark Ruffalo Accused of Antisemitic Rant Over Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

Actor Mark Ruffalo has been accused of antisemitism for his commentary on the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Critics, including Paramount representatives, argue that Ruffalo invoked antisemitic tropes in his social media posts regarding the business transaction.

Ruffalo's remarks, which focused on the potential consolidation of wealth and power, specifically mentioned Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, and his son David, who is reportedly involved in the Paramount bid. The actor shared a video from pro-Palestinian activists that identified Safra Catz, former CEO of Oracle, and linked Oracle's technology sales to Israel, which Ruffalo characterized as enabling "what we now have come to see as a genocide, which was built on an apartheid system of oppression."

"Larry Ellison will own most of ‘Para Bros,’ " Ruffalo wrote. "Larry is a classic Oligarch. They are crushing workers and consolidating the wealth of the world for their own power and concentrated dominance."

Paramount responded to the actor's comments, stating, "We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute. Words like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid,’ applied to a corporate transaction, aren’t just wrong — they’re a bridge too far, and they cheapen the very real suffering those words are meant to describe."

Ruffalo, in turn, defended himself, reportedly stating that he was "appalled" by accusations of antisemitism and that he has Jewish friends. He argued that his comments were misrepresented and that he was merely highlighting concerns about a Jewish billionaire using technology and wealth to "crush" others.

Commentators have drawn a parallel between Ruffalo's current stance and his iconic role as the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel, created by Jewish writers Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is often seen as a response to historical Jewish suffering. Kirby, in particular, was a Zionist. The comparison suggests a stark contrast between the origins of his fame and his recent public statements.