Renowned actor Mark Ruffalo has expressed criticism regarding podcaster Joe Rogan’s recent views on the ICE raids in progress. Rogan, who is known for his support of Trump, drew the actor’s attention for belatedly disputing the ICE operations. Ruffalo communicated his objections in a recent post on the social media platform Threads, and he reproached Rogan for turning a blind eye towards the existence of initiative ‘Project 2025’.
Ruffalo’s post read, ‘Dear @joerogan, it’s high time you acknowledged the existence of Project 2025 and its historical significance. At this stage, it’s difficult to discern whether you are genuinely uninformed or deliberately obtuse.’ Ruffalo, an outspoken supporter of Kamala Harris during the 2024 Presidential campaign, finds it remiss that Rogan, who supported Trump, was seemingly uninformed about the then-president’s immigration policies and actions.
During the past several months, Rogan has been vocalizing disdain for the president’s immigration approach. His criticisms stem from a series of raids initiated by ICE targeting migrant workers employed in the country illegally. His statements were made during an episode of his podcast ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ on July 2, where he questioned the selective targeting of immigrant laborers.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, during his conversation with Replit CEO Amjad Masad, Rogan, aged 57, gave voice to his concerns. He expressed disbelief at the reality of the government’s raids on workers, stating, ‘This is madness. We were given assurances that such actions would not take place. What is truly shocking is that these raids target migrant laborers — not criminals or drug traders, but ordinary construction workers at their workplaces. It’s unthinkable.’
Further to the discourse, Ruffalo reminds us of another crucial initiative dubbed as ‘Project 25’ or the 2025 Presidential Transition Project. A proposal from the conservative Heritage Foundation, as reported by USA Today, it advocated for sweeping changes that included disbanding the Department of Education, repealing the legality of abortion pills, and providing immigration officials with the necessary authority to expel undocumented immigrants.
Since embarking on a second term in office, Trump distanced himself from the policies proposed by Project 25. However, a sharp increase has been noted in the detentions of individuals accused of illegal immigration, causing many to refer to the actions as unlawful. Trump’s response to the outrage has been to argue for a policy change for agricultural and hospitality workers.
Trump’s policy announcement followed a concern raised by workers within the agricultural and hospitality sectors surrounding the dwindling workforce due to these ICE raids. In a surprising pivot, Trump stated that long-term workers in these industries may qualify for a work permit allowing them to legally remain in the US. However, citizenship would not be within their reach.
Trump addressed this issue openly, clarifying, ‘Our farmers and hotel workers will be taken care of, and we are actively working on this solution. Legal status, tax liability, and employment will be possible without citizenship. It’s crucial we understand, without these workers, our farms could not function.’ He further mentioned that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would have a role to play in the execution of the plan.
Apart from his critique of Rogan, Mark Ruffalo has been an active presence at various protests. Recently, during the ‘No Kings Day’ protest held on June 14 in New York City, he was spotted standing alongside experienced actress Susan Sarandon. Wearing a hat marked with the word ‘immigrant,’ the actor used the opportunity to contest Trump’s immigration policies.
As per Fox News’ coverage, Ruffalo delivered an impassioned speech at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) rally challenging popular misconceptions about immigrants. ‘It is high time we understand the reality. The statistics tell us that immigrants are not the major culprits behind crimes in America. We need to unite; no external help is going to save us,’ he stated.
The actor also utilized social media to put forth a detailed criticism of Trump’s policies on immigration, calling out the divisive tactics being used. In a post on June 7 on Instagram, he pointed out that the conflict between working-class people and the poor was indicative of an underlying oligarchy.
He expanded his thoughts, writing, ‘The president is exploiting the situation. His kin benefit from this chaos, amassing wealth unimaginable, imagining life on Mars, while we struggle. It’s a disgrace that we are worrying and starving while government support for AIDS victims, starving people, or political refugees is denied.’
Ruffalo did not hesitate to condemn harsh stances on immigration, and he continued, ‘While your family members may be fired and treatments for deadly diseases halted, we fight amongst ourselves. We fail to see who is genuinely causing the problems. We are directing our anger at the wrong targets.’
It is noteworthy that Ruffalo was not singular in his perspectives. The incursions initiated by ICE authorities in June have led to the detention of approximately 56,000 immigrants, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. This has sparked a widespread conversation about immigration policies and their consequences.
As an influential figure in the entertainment industry and an active social advocate, Ruffalo’s input on the issue further emphasizes the complexities underlying the policies and their impact. His efforts in engaging in public protests and leveraging social media to voice his objections shed light on the concerns shared by many regarding the actions and consequences of immigration policies.
Social and political discourse is an integral part of public life, and voices like Ruffalo’s and Rogan’s contribute to the ongoing debates that shape our understanding of the issues. Their differing perspectives serve as representative examples of the varied views and experiences within society, providing valuable fodder for political dialogue. This ongoing conversation is essential for enacting legacy-defining changes in policy and legislation.