Mark Ruffalo has never been one to hold his tongue, especially when it comes to politics. The Oscar-nominated actor is known just as much for his activism as he is for his performances on screen, and over the years, he’s become a vocal critic of government policies he views as harmful—particularly when they impact the most vulnerable communities.
Now, Ruffalo is turning his fire on podcast giant Joe Rogan, accusing him of being complicit in enabling the very political forces he now appears to criticize. The actor’s sharp words come in the wake of Rogan’s comments on a controversial immigration crackdown that occurred under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
This latest clash between two high-profile voices on opposing ends of the political spectrum has ignited a larger conversation about immigration, political accountability, and the far-reaching implications of the conservative agenda laid out in a controversial document known as Project 2025.
Let’s unpack what happened—and why Ruffalo isn’t backing down.
In June, a wave of protests erupted across Los Angeles in response to a series of aggressive immigration raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These raids targeted individuals living in the country without legal status, and reports indicated that they took place at construction sites, private homes, and even outdoor labor zones.
The raids were part of a broader directive under the Trump administration’s push to tighten immigration enforcement. While the administration claimed to be targeting criminals and gang members, many on-the-ground reports painted a different picture—one of ordinary, hardworking people being pulled from their communities and families under the threat of deportation.
To critics, the raids weren’t about safety or law enforcement—they were about fear and control. Mark Ruffalo, long a supporter of immigrant rights, was among those who condemned the operation as deeply unjust and dangerous.
Enter Joe Rogan. The podcast host and comedian has long walked a complicated line in the political world. While he has supported progressive ideals on issues like psychedelics and free speech, he’s also shown a willingness to embrace conservative viewpoints—and, notably, he endorsed Donald Trump during the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
But in a July 2 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the podcaster took a surprising turn. Speaking with guest Amjad Masad, CEO of the AI software company Replit, Rogan voiced concern about the immigration raids happening under Trump’s watch.
“We were told there would be no—well, there’s two things that are insane,” Rogan said. “One is the targeting of migrant workers. Not cartel members, not gang members, not drug dealers. Just construction workers. Showing up in construction sites, raiding them. Gardeners. Like, really?”
Rogan’s tone was incredulous, frustrated. He seemed to be pointing out the contradiction between the stated goals of immigration enforcement and the reality of who was being affected. But to some, including Ruffalo, his outrage rang hollow.
Mark Ruffalo didn’t waste any time calling Rogan out. In a scathing post on Threads dated July 6, Ruffalo responded to a clip of Rogan’s comments with biting sarcasm and direct criticism.
“Dear @joerogan, it’s a little late now to pretend like Project 2025 didn’t exist and wasn’t the playbook all along,” Ruffalo wrote. “You are either not that smart or not that dumb. It’s hard to tell at this point.”
The post quickly went viral, reigniting debate over Project 2025, a controversial policy blueprint that has become a lightning rod in political circles.
Project 2025, also called the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, is a conservative agenda compiled and published by the Heritage Foundation in April 2023. The nearly 900-page document outlines a dramatic reshaping of the federal government, should a Republican—presumably Donald Trump—return to power in 2025.
The plan proposes:
- Overhauling or eliminating federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Education.
- Reversing federal approval of abortion medications.
- Expanding powers for immigration officials to deport undocumented immigrants.
- Increasing executive authority over traditionally independent departments.
It’s a sweeping vision of a far more centralized, right-wing federal government—and it has alarmed critics across the political spectrum.
While Trump has claimed he’s unfamiliar with the project, a USA TODAY investigation revealed that 31 of the plan’s 38 authors or editors had direct ties to either Trump himself or his first administration. For Ruffalo and others, this was more than enough to confirm their suspicions that Trump and his allies are already laying the groundwork for a radical transformation of American governance.
Mark Ruffalo isn’t just tweeting from the sidelines. The actor has taken to the streets, joining demonstrators protesting Trump-era immigration policies and speaking out against what he views as the erosion of democratic norms.
On the same day that Trump hosted a controversial military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, Ruffalo was in New York marching in a “No Kings Day” protest. The event, designed to be a counterpoint to the militarized spectacle in D.C., drew thousands of participants advocating for democracy, immigrant rights, and an end to authoritarianism.
Speaking passionately to the crowd, Ruffalo channeled his Marvel superhero persona to rally the crowd.
“It’s on us, guys. Literally, together, we’re the Avengers now,” Ruffalo said. “No one’s going to come and save us, man. Americans unite.”
His words struck a chord with many, especially younger activists who see Ruffalo as a rare example of a Hollywood figure using his platform to support real grassroots efforts.
Ruffalo’s clash with Rogan isn’t just about a single immigration raid or a podcast episode. It’s about the broader responsibility that public figures have when they weigh in on national issues—especially those with platforms as massive as Rogan’s.
With over 11 million listeners per episode, The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most influential media platforms in the world. What Rogan says—who he supports, what he criticizes—has real consequences.
That’s part of what has angered Ruffalo. While Rogan now appears shocked by the fallout of Trump’s policies, critics argue that he and others helped normalize those very ideas by supporting Trump in the first place.
“Playing both sides is dangerous when the stakes are this high,” one activist tweeted in response to the Rogan-Ruffalo spat. “You can’t dabble in far-right politics and then act surprised when it gets ugly.”
The 2024 presidential election cycle has been one of the most polarizing in American history, and the battle lines are becoming increasingly clear. On one side are conservatives pushing for a return to Trump-era policies—many of which are now codified in Project 2025. On the other are activists, progressives, and everyday citizens fighting to protect what they see as foundational American rights and institutions.
Ruffalo, for his part, is all in on the fight. From climate change to healthcare to immigration, he has consistently used his platform to highlight causes that matter to him—and he’s willing to call out anyone, celebrity or not, who he believes is standing in the way of progress.
“People are waking up,” Ruffalo said in a recent interview. “They see what’s at stake now. This isn’t just politics. It’s about the soul of the country.”
Mark Ruffalo vs. Joe Rogan might seem like just another celebrity spat. But in reality, it’s a window into a much deeper cultural and political conflict playing out in America.
It’s about who gets to shape the narrative. It’s about how power is wielded—and challenged—in the digital age. And it’s about the moral responsibility that comes with having influence, whether you’re an actor marching in the streets or a podcaster with millions hanging on your every word.
As the country heads into what promises to be a tumultuous election year, these debates will only intensify. And while Ruffalo may not wear the Hulk’s green skin in real life, his roar—fueled by passion, anger, and urgency—can’t be ignored.
“We need to stay loud,” Ruffalo told supporters at the end of the “No Kings Day” rally. “We need to stay together. And we need to stay fighting—for all of us.”
Because in this political moment, silence, as he sees it, is not an option.