Mark Ruffalo Criticizes Larry Ellison Over Paramount-Warner Merger, Company Denounces Antisemitic Motifs

Actor Mark Ruffalo sparked controversy on social media by sharply criticizing the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros, led by David Ellison. Ruffalo targeted billionaire Larry Ellison, a Jewish businessman and Oracle founder, accusing him of selling technology to Israel and being involved in what Ruffalo described as a "genocide built on an apartheid system." He also condemned Ellison's power, warning that the merger would harm workers by consolidating wealth and control under Ellison, whom he called a "classic oligarch."

Paramount responded strongly to Ruffalo's remarks, rejecting his allegations and expressing concern over what they described as the use of antisemitic motifs in a business dispute. A company representative stated that extreme terms like "genocide" and "apartheid" are inappropriate and diminish the real suffering those words represent when applied to a corporate merger.

Ruffalo, in turn, expressed that he was "shocked" by the backlash to his statements. The dispute highlights tensions around the merger and the broader implications of corporate power and political accusations tied to Israel.

The merger deal remains under scrutiny, with ongoing public debate about its impact on the industry, workers, and geopolitical issues linked to the parties involved.