Ruffalo Denounces Paramount’s Antisemitism Claim in Ellison Merger Dispute

Actor Mark Ruffalo rejected allegations Saturday that his opposition to the Ellison family’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery constitutes antisemitism, issuing a forceful statement through Fox News Digital. Ruffalo called the accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest,” emphasizing that critiques of Israeli government policies, military contracts, or corporate executives differ fundamentally from attacks on Jewish people as a whole.

The dispute intensified after Ruffalo amplified video remarks from Paramount board member Safra Catz describing Oracle’s “really profoundly scary technologies” supplied to the Israeli military. In his social media post, Ruffalo connected Oracle—co-founded by Larry Ellison—to the proposed acquisition by Ellison’s son David, warning that such surveillance capabilities could eventually be deployed within a major media conglomerate.

Paramount’s spokesperson countered by stating the company was “troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute,” arguing that characterizing a corporate transaction with terms like “genocide” and “apartheid” misrepresents serious human suffering. The company reiterated its stance against prejudice of any kind.

Ruffalo’s weekend response elaborated on substantive concerns about the $111 billion deal, including concentration of ownership over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., involvement of foreign financial backing, and potential threats to editorial independence. He noted that 12 state attorneys general are challenging the merger, which faces restrictions preventing closure until June 1, 2027, or until after court resolution of pending claims.