Mark Ruffalo isn’t staying quiet when it comes to politics—and this time, his criticism is aimed at podcast host Joe Rogan. The Oscar-nominated actor reacted sharply to Rogan’s recent comments condemning the Trump administration’s harsh immigration raids in Los Angeles. Ruffalo accused Rogan of hypocrisy, pointing out his earlier endorsement of Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
In a July 2 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan voiced frustration over immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal operation, which took place in several neighborhoods across Los Angeles in June, targeted undocumented migrant workers.
Rogan expressed disbelief at the raids, saying, “They were raiding construction sites. Gardeners. Just working-class people. Not cartel members, not gang members. Really?” His comments came during a conversation with Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit.
However, Ruffalo didn’t buy Rogan’s surprise. In a post on Threads dated July 6, the actor wrote, “Dear @joerogan, it’s a little late now to pretend like Project 2025 didn’t exist and wasn’t the playbook all along. You are either not that smart or not that dumb. It’s hard to tell at this point.”
What Is Project 2025?
Ruffalo’s message referred to Project 2025, a far-reaching conservative policy agenda published by the Heritage Foundation in April 2023. The plan lays out a political roadmap for the next Republican presidency and includes drastic overhauls of key federal institutions.
Among the project’s most controversial suggestions are:
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Giving immigration authorities broader powers to deport undocumented immigrants
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Abolishing the Department of Education
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Reversing FDA approval of abortion pills
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Restructuring the FBI and other agencies
Though Donald Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025 during his campaign, calling it a plan he knows “nothing” about, analysis from USA TODAY revealed that 31 of the plan’s 38 contributors had close ties to Trump or served in his first administration.
To Ruffalo and many of Trump’s critics, this is more than a coincidence. “Project 2025 wasn’t hidden,” Ruffalo continued in another post. “It was public. Joe Rogan knew about it, and he still backed Trump. Now he’s shocked by the results?”
Ruffalo Joins Protests, Delivers Speech at “No Kings Day”
The immigration raids Rogan criticized were part of Trump’s broader push to ramp up deportations. In response, nationwide protests erupted, particularly in Los Angeles and New York. Mark Ruffalo didn’t just tweet about it—he showed up.
The Avengers star marched in a “No Kings Day” protest in New York, held in opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and a controversial military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Ruffalo gave an emotional speech during the demonstration, directly addressing the administration’s policies. “They are trampling on our rights and our laws and our freedoms,” he said. “It’s on us, guys. Literally, together, we’re the Avengers now. No one’s going to come and save us, man. Americans unite.”
Ruffalo wasn’t alone. Other celebrities, including Jimmy Kimmel and comedian Hasan Minhaj, also attended rallies and posted messages of support. The No Kings Day movement has gained traction on social media, becoming a platform for critics of government overreach and authoritarian leadership.
Public Backlash and Divided Reactions
Ruffalo’s criticism of Rogan sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters praised him for holding powerful voices accountable, especially those who endorsed Trump but now disapprove of his policies. “You can’t support someone’s rise and then act surprised when they follow through on their promises,” one user commented.
Others defended Rogan, arguing that changing one’s stance after new evidence is part of an open mind. “He’s calling it out now, and that matters,” another user posted. “Better late than never.”
But Ruffalo seems unconvinced. His comments suggest he sees Rogan’s reversal as damage control, not a genuine shift in perspective. For Ruffalo, the immigration raids, Project 2025, and Trump’s broader political agenda were always interconnected—and public figures like Rogan, with massive platforms, had a duty to see it coming.
As the 2024 election approaches, the divide between political entertainers and activist celebrities is becoming sharper. While Rogan continues to navigate that gray area between commentary and influence, Ruffalo has made it clear: in his view, silence or neutrality in the face of political injustice is no longer an option.
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