Mark Ruffalo accused Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. of linking to Oracle’s profoundly scary technologies
tied to the Israeli military, prompting the studio to label his remarks “antisemitic.”
Mark Ruffalo has made the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. a focal point of his activism, linking the deal to Oracle’s alleged ties to the Israeli military and accusing the Ellisons—Paramount CEO David Ellison and his father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison—of consolidating power. The actor’s social media campaign, backed by a clip of Oracle executive Safra Catz describing profoundly scary technologies
used in Israel’s war effort, has drawn sharp rebukes from Paramount, which called his rhetoric “antisemitic.”
Ruffalo’s Accusations and Social Media Campaign
Ruffalo’s latest critique, posted on his Instagram Story, centered on Oracle’s role in Israel’s military operations. He shared a clip from a panel where Safra Catz, then Oracle’s executive vice chair, spoke about the company’s profoundly scary technologies
deployed in Israel’s war effort. We have some really profoundly scary technology at Oracle,
Catz said, without specifying details. Ruffalo interpreted this as evidence of Oracle’s complicity in what he called a “genocide” against Palestinians, tying the tech giant’s actions to the broader merger. This is the company that Larry Ellison is using to fund his son David’s Warner Bros acquisition,
he wrote, warning that Oracle’s technologies will most likely be merged into one of the largest media conglomerates in the world and one day used on you.
The actor also accused David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO and a Trump ally, of leveraging his father’s fortune to secure the merger. Ruffalo’s post questioned why Trump pushed this illegal merger through
and described Larry Ellison as a classic Oligarch
exploiting an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle.
His remarks echoed a broader campaign against the deal, which has faced legal challenges from state attorneys general, including in California, who argue it would reduce competition and eliminate 4,500 direct jobs in the film industry.
Paramount’s Response and Antisemitism Claims
Paramount responded by condemning Ruffalo’s remarks as “antisemitic,” stating that invoking terms like “genocide” and “apartheid” in a business dispute cheapens the very real suffering those words are meant to describe.
A spokesperson said, We are, as always, troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute.
The studio also emphasized its commitment to every story, every storyteller
and called for less rhetoric, more understanding.
Ruffalo’s post did not directly address the merger’s antitrust concerns but focused on Oracle’s military ties. The company, which has a notable presence in Israel, has faced criticism from opponents of the Israel war in Gaza and the Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions movement. An annual filing revealed that Larry Ellison, David Ellison’s father, is Oracle’s executive chairman, while Safra Catz sits on Paramount Skydance’s board of directors alongside Mr. Ellison, further intertwining the Ellisons’ interests with the merger.
The Merger’s Legal and Economic Stakes
The merger, which would combine Paramount’s television and film assets with Warner Bros. Discovery’s, including CNN, remains on hold. Paramount has agreed not to close the transaction before June 2027 unless a federal judge rules sooner. A Los Angeles County analysis released this week warned the deal could cost roughly 4,500 direct film and television jobs in the region over three years, though Paramount has argued the combined company would boost production rather than cut it, pledging $30 billion annually in content investment and at least 30 theatrical releases a year.
Ruffalo’s campaign has drawn scrutiny for linking the merger to anti-Israel sentiment. Industry sources reported concerns over his focus on anti-Israel sentiments rather than the deal’s economic impact. However, the actor’s influence as a high-profile advocate has amplified debates over corporate accountability, particularly regarding tech companies’ roles in global conflicts.
What Comes Next: Legal Battles and Public Pressure
The merger’s fate hinges on ongoing legal battles and public pressure. While a dozen states have sued to block it, Paramount and its allies argue the deal would bolster content production. Ruffalo’s social media influence, with 20.5 million followers, ensures his critique remains a focal point. Meanwhile, Oracle’s role in the Israeli military and its ties to the Ellisons will likely continue to draw scrutiny, particularly as the merger’s timeline approaches the June 2027 deadline.
The conflict underscores broader tensions between corporate power, media consolidation, and geopolitical accountability. As the legal and public debates unfold, the merger’s outcome could set a precedent for how tech and media conglomerates navigate ethical and political controversies.
