Mark Ruffalo tells Senate not to trust big media promises on Paramount-Warner merger

Actor Mark Ruffalo took a rare step into formal policy advocacy this week, appearing remotely at a Senate hearing to voice strong opposition to the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. Speaking via Zoom on April 15, 2026, Ruffalo warned lawmakers that the deal, if approved, could have far-reaching consequences for filmmakers, journalists, and everyday viewers.

"We've heard these promises before," Ruffalo said, referring to corporate pledges that mergers will benefit the public. "Don't trust empty promises from billionaires." He argued that media consolidation tends to shrink creative opportunities, drive up prices for consumers, and erode the diversity of voices in entertainment and news.

The hearing, convened by Senator Cory Booker, was part of a broader effort to spotlight the potential risks of large-scale media mergers. Booker has been vocal about the need for stronger antitrust enforcement, particularly in industries where a few companies control vast swaths of content and distribution. Ruffalo's testimony added a high-profile voice to a coalition of over 3,000 Hollywood workers-from writers to set designers-who've signed an open letter opposing the deal.

Ruffalo emphasized that the stakes go beyond box office numbers or stock prices. "This is about who gets to tell stories, and who gets left out," he said. He pointed to past mergers that led to layoffs, canceled projects, and the shuttering of independent outlets, warning that the current proposal could accelerate those trends.

Notably, David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, declined to appear at the hearing despite being invited. His absence drew sharp remarks from several senators, who questioned the company's transparency. The Federal Trade Commission is still reviewing the merger, and no vote has been scheduled in Congress, but the growing public and political scrutiny could influence the outcome.

While media consolidation is not new, the scale of today's proposed deals has raised fresh concerns. Critics argue that fewer players in the market mean less innovation, weaker labor conditions, and fewer choices for audiences. Supporters of the merger say it could help the companies compete with tech giants like Amazon and Netflix, but Ruffalo and others remain skeptical.

For now, the debate continues, with Ruffalo's appearance marking one of the most visible moments in the pushback. Whether lawmakers act on those concerns remains to be seen, but the conversation is no longer just about business-it's about culture, power, and who gets to shape the stories we watch.