{
  "id": 4687177,
  "title": "Kenneth Lonergan Defends Mark Ruffalo, Calls Charges of Antisemitism ‘Overtly Preposterous’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/kenneth-lonergan-defends-mark-ruffalo-calls-charges-of-antisemitism",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T18:21:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/kenneth-lonergan-defends-mark-ruffalo-against-antisemitism-charges/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oscar-winning filmmaker and playwright Kenneth Lonergan strongly defended Mark Ruffalo against accusations of antisemitism, dismissing the claims as \"overtly preposterous\" and describing them as a \"cynical and disgusting lie.\" The controversy arose from Ruffalo's Instagram post on August 21, in which he linked the potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Ruffalo referred to the conflict as a \"genocide\" and connected it to an \"apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle,\" the technology company owned by Paramount CEO David Ellison's father, Larry Ellison. Paramount responded swiftly, calling Ruffalo's comments \"antisemitic\" and initiating a public dispute. The Simon Wiesenthal Center and The Brigade, an industry group, also condemned Ruffalo's remarks. Despite his disagreement with Ruffalo's stance on the Middle East, antisemitism, and other topics, Lonergan refused to join the accusations against him, stating that such actions are a \"soft place\" in their opponents' positions, which they are unwilling to defend by addressing Ruffalo's points. Lonergan urged the Simon Wiesenthal Center to review Ruffalo's comments and reconsider their response.",
  "summary": "Lonergan and Ruffalo have been friends for over 30 years and collaborated on “You Can Count On Me” and “Margaret” The post Kenneth Lonergan Defends Mark Ruffalo, Calls Charges of Antisemitism ‘Overtly Preposterous’ appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Kenneth Lonergan Writes Letter in Defense of Mark Ruffalo, Calls Antisemitism Accusation “Cynical”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/kenneth-lonergan-writes-letter-in-defense-of-mark-ruffalo-calls",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:58:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}