George Clooney defends Mark Ruffalo amid antisemitism accusations
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Clooney criticizes media consolidation, warning it could cost jobs.
- Ruffalo has faced antisemitism accusations over criticism of Paramount’s deal and Oracle’s ties to the ‘Israeli’ military.
George Clooney has defended Mark Ruffalo’s right to criticize Paramount Skydance’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, saying he supports the actor’s “ability to speak freely.”
At the Venice Film Festival, Clooney voiced concerns over further consolidation in Hollywood, saying it could lead to job losses. He also questioned the financial viability of the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal and raised concerns about increasing media ownership by wealthy individuals.
Clooney said he supports Ruffalo’s right to criticize the deal, stressing that “I support Mark Ruffalo’s ability to speak freely.”
“I think that that’s ridiculous. We’re not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. That’s important, right? In fact, it’s part of how a democracy works.”
He added that public figures should be able to disagree and debate issues openly, saying, “We’re supposed to argue these things out and come to a conclusion based on the information that we take in.”
Read more: George Clooney calls Trump administration “kakistocracy"
“I will always support Mark Ruffalo’s ability to speak freely,” Clooney said. “I like him. He’s a good man.”
Clooney also questioned the financial logic of the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, saying, “I don’t know how this goes through. There are so many issues involved.”
Ruffalo has faced criticism from Paramount after opposing the proposed merger and raising concerns over Oracle’s business ties to the ‘Israeli’ military. Paramount accused him of invoking antisemitic tropes, a charge Ruffalo rejected.
More than 180 Jewish artists, academics and public figures have also signed an open letter defending Ruffalo and his right to criticize ‘Israel’ and the proposed merger.
Read more: Over 180 Jewish figures rally behind Mark Ruffalo amid antisemitism accusations
