23 August,2026 03:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mark Ruffalo. Pic via AFP
Mark Ruffalo has strongly pushed back against Paramount after the studio labelled his recent remarks about Oracle, its executives and the Israel-Gaza war as "antisemitic." The actor, known globally for playing the Hulk in the Marvel films, called the accusation "appalling and fundamentally dishonest" in a strongly worded post on X.
Ruffalo wrote that criticising political leaders, military technology contracts or the executives supplying such technology should not be equated with hostility towards Jewish people. "The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest," he said, adding that criticism of the Israeli Prime Minister or corporate and military dealings is not the same as criticising Jewish people.
The actor further said his views stem from his own political convictions and should never be interpreted as prejudice against Jewish people. He added that many of his close friends, colleagues and loved ones have been Jewish and have played an important role in shaping his understanding of acting, activism and humanism.
The controversy stems from Ruffalo's criticism of Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and Oracle's reported involvement in funding the deal. The actor had previously shared a clip featuring former Oracle chief Safra Catz while criticising the company's alleged links to surveillance and military technology.
In his latest response, Ruffalo also reiterated his concerns about media consolidation. He argued that the proposed merger could have major consequences for workers, editorial freedom and the wider entertainment industry. He raised concerns over the concentration of control over major properties including CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., calling for greater public scrutiny and a serious national security review.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country," Ruffalo wrote, stressing that questions around the Ellisons, Oracle's business interests and potential editorial influence were "fair and necessary."
Ruffalo has been among the most vocal Hollywood names criticising Paramount Skydance's proposed Warner Bros. acquisition. However, Paramount hit back at his earlier comments, with a representative saying the company was troubled by what it described as antisemitic tropes being used in a business dispute.
The company also objected to Ruffalo's use of terms such as "genocide" and "apartheid" in relation to the controversy, arguing that such language was inappropriate and diminished the suffering associated with those terms.
Now, Ruffalo has made it clear that he refuses to back down. As the proposed merger continues to spark debate, the actor has called for more scrutiny, not less, saying it is time to confront the issues surrounding the deal rather than "step back or concede." The actor was last seen in Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
