John Cusack has publicly backed Mark Ruffalo in the actor’s increasingly heated fight with Paramount Skydance over its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cusack quote-posted Ruffalo’s response to the company over the weekend and added just three words: “Solidarity – well said.” Paramount had said the actor invoked “antisemitic tropes” while arguing against the deal.
Ruffalo called that accusation “appalling and fundamentally dishonest.” He said his criticism concerned Israeli government policy, a military technology contract and the corporate executives involved, and that his views “should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people.”
The confrontation began after Ruffalo shared footage of Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member Safra Catz discussing technology Oracle made available to Israel after the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023. He connected the clip to Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, whose son David Ellison is Paramount’s chairman and CEO, and to his wider opposition to the Warner Bros. transaction.
Cusack Needed Only Three Words to Back Ruffalo
Cusack offered no further explanation with his post. The message accompanied Ruffalo’s full statement, which defended scrutiny of Oracle’s government contracts and data and surveillance businesses while raising concerns about possible job losses and editorial independence if the acquisition proceeds.
Solidarity – well said. https://t.co/N6k9T53Yox
— John Cusack (@johncusack) August 23, 2026
Ruffalo also said criticism of Israel’s prime minister or of companies supplying military technology is not criticism of Jewish people. He credited Jewish friends, colleagues and loved ones with shaping his work as an actor and activist, then repeated his call for the merger to receive further scrutiny.
Paul Walter Hauser Also Defended Ruffalo
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Cusack was not the only actor to step in. Paul Walter Hauser shared an Instagram post declaring, “If you think that Mark Ruffalo is antisemitic, you are an actual moron.” In the caption, Hauser told critics to “focus on an actual harmful person” and described Ruffalo as intelligent, empathetic and talented.
Paramount Said Ruffalo Invoked ‘Antisemitic Tropes’
Ruffalo’s original posts included a resurfaced 2024 clip of Catz speaking at the Israeli-American Council National Summit. In the footage, she said Oracle had made “some really profoundly scary technology” available to support Israel following the October 7 attacks. Ruffalo used the terms “genocide” and “apartheid” while criticizing Oracle’s role and the Ellison family’s influence over the proposed media deal.
Paramount responded in a statement first reported by Variety, saying it was “troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute.” The company called Ruffalo’s use of those terms “a bridge too far,” said they diminished real suffering and reiterated that it does not tolerate prejudice.
Ruffalo denied that his criticism was rooted in hostility toward Jewish people. The Anti-Defamation League, Simon Wiesenthal Center, Creative Community for Peace and L.A. Jewish Federation rejected his defense and condemned his remarks, according to TheWrap.
Cusack and Ruffalo Were Already Fighting the Merger
The two actors were already on the same side of the merger fight. Both are listed among the signatories of an open letter opposing the acquisition. Published in April with more than 1,000 names, the letter now lists over 5,600 film and television professionals who argue that the consolidation would mean fewer jobs and creative opportunities, higher costs and less choice for audiences.
Under the definitive agreement announced in February, Paramount would pay $31 per Warner Bros. Discovery share. The companies value the transaction at $81 billion in equity and $110 billion in enterprise value, with $47 billion in new equity backed by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital Partners. Paramount has said the combined company would release at least 30 films in theaters each year.
The deal cleared one federal hurdle in June when the Justice Department ended an eight-month investigation and said it was unlikely to harm competition. California Attorney General Rob Bonta then led a coalition of 12 state attorneys general in suing to block the acquisition, alleging it would reduce competition in film distribution and basic cable.
Paramount and Warner Bros. have agreed not to complete the transaction until five days after a decision on the merits of the states’ case or June 1, 2027, whichever comes first. On Aug. 24, Bonta canceled a planned settlement meeting after accusing Paramount of leaking and misrepresenting confidential preliminary discussions; Paramount denied the allegation and said it remained willing to negotiate.