Actor Mark Ruffalo has responded sharply to criticism from Paramount, which accused him of antisemitism following his comments about a proposed corporate merger. Ruffalo took to social media Saturday to deny the allegations, describing them as “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.” He emphasized that critiquing political figures, military contracts, or business executives differs fundamentally from expressing prejudice against any religious or ethnic group.
Ruffalo’s initial remarks centered on a potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., focusing on the involvement of technology billionaire Larry Ellison and his company Oracle. The actor highlighted concerns about Oracle’s data and surveillance technology contracts with the Israeli military, framing the deal as a threat to editorial independence and American jobs. He characterized Ellison as a powerful oligarch whose influence over major media properties would have significant consequences.
Paramount’s statement countered that Ruffalo’s use of charged terminology like “genocide” and “apartheid” in describing a business transaction was inappropriate and invoked harmful stereotypes. A company spokesperson stated the organization does not tolerate prejudice against anyone. In his rebuttal, Ruffalo maintained that scrutinizing business practices and examining potential conflicts of interest represents legitimate public discourse necessary for democratic accountability.
Originally reported by Variety →
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