Paramount Global issued a statement on Saturday accusing actor Mark Ruffalo of invoking antisemitic tropes in a social media post criticizing the proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger spearheaded by the Ellison family. The company described Ruffalo’s remarks as crossing a line by applying terms like 'genocide' and 'apartheid' to a corporate transaction.
In response to Ruffalo’s post on Instagram, a Paramount spokesperson stated, “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.” The spokesperson added that Paramount does not “tolerate prejudice of any kind, against anyone.”
Ruffalo’s Criticism of the Merger
Ruffalo’s remarks referenced Oracle Corporation, a company led by Larry Ellison, whose son David Ellison is involved in the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. In his post, Ruffalo questioned Oracle’s role in funding the acquisition, stating, “This is the company that Larry Ellison is using to fund his son David's Warner Bros acquisition.” He also highlighted Oracle’s partnership with Israel, suggesting the company’s technology could be used in ways he deemed concerning.
The dispute stems from the $8 billion merger proposal announced in May 2023, which would combine Warner Bros. Discovery with David Ellison’s Skydance Media. The deal has faced scrutiny from state attorneys general and other stakeholders, though Paramount has framed the opposition as politically motivated.
Paramount’s Broader Response
Paramount Global, now operating under the name Paramount Skydance following its merger with Skydance Media, has positioned itself as a defender against what it calls the misuse of serious historical and political terms. The company’s statement did not directly address the specifics of Ruffalo’s claims but emphasized its stance against prejudice.
The controversy has drawn attention to the intersection of corporate mergers, political rhetoric, and public figures’ activism, particularly as it relates to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Ruffalo, known for his advocacy on social issues, has not publicly responded to Paramount’s statement as of the latest reporting.