Actor Mark Ruffalo took the stage this weekend at a “No Kings” protest rally in New York, sharply criticizing wealth inequality and defending immigrants. In a speech that quickly went viral, Ruffalo declared, “immigrants aren’t the criminals”, adding they “add to our economy by the billions,” while he singled out “billionaires” and the “white majority” as principal obstacles facing the nation.
Ruffalo—whose net worth is estimated between $35 million and $90 million—accused wealthy elites of “holding the power of the nation” and called for reclaiming the country from their influence. He urged Americans to “take our country back,” framing the issue as a battle for democratic fairness at the hands of extreme wealth.
Social media quickly responded with mockery and criticism. One user quipped, “How is he that rich but also that stupid?” while another poked fun at Ruffalo’s alter ego: “Mark can play the brilliant Bruce Banner despite his extremely limited grasp on reality and logic.” Commenters accused him of hypocrisy, arguing that illegal immigrants are technically criminals—a point they say he glossed over.
At the core of the controversy lies Ruffalo’s dismissal of concerns about immigration. He claimed conservatives and President Trump are misdirecting criticism toward immigrants, saying white Americans and wealthy elites are responsible for the country’s problems—a shift from standard political narratives.
