Mark Ruffalo Endorses Tom Steyer in California Gubernatorial Race

Actor Mark Ruffalo has shown his support for billionaire Tom Steyer in the race for California governor, which is somewhat surprising given that celebrities frequently criticize the wealthy. Ruffalo made his endorsement public through an Instagram post on Thursday.

In his post, he highlighted Steyer’s efforts against climate change for the past two decades, asserting that his opponent, Becerra, has been influenced by Big Oil due to significant financial backing—about $50 million—in his election.

Interestingly, Ruffalo mentioned that he isn’t particularly fond of billionaires, stating, “there’s no reason for people to have that kind of wealth.” However, he attempted to differentiate Steyer from what he considers an oligarchic model. It’s curious, though, as Steyer does seem to utilize his wealth in a way that resembles those he compares him to.

Ruffalo explained, “I think there’s a difference between an oligarchy and a billionaire. People use their wealth and power to gain more, motivated by greed. Often, their wealth comes from exploitation of resources or people. While Tom is a billionaire, I don’t categorize him with Musk, Thiel, Trump, or Bezos.”

He went on to describe Steyer as a progressive candidate who would prioritize the needs of Californians over personal gain or corporate interests if elected. Ruffalo emphasized that Steyer would work to appoint a team focused on solutions and that he would stand against Trump. Additionally, Steyer aims to abolish ICE and hold it accountable, oppose the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., and ensure Hollywood’s success in California again. While Steyer supports taxing the rich, Ruffalo pointed out that Becerra does not share this view.

However, some of Ruffalo’s most dedicated fans aren’t thrilled with his endorsement. Many believe that Steyer’s wealth disqualifies him for public office. One commenter expressed disappointment, mentioning that Steyer could have positively impacted many lives with his wealth instead of spending it on his political campaigns, suggesting that billionaires should not exist at all.

Another fan questioned why Steyer needed the governorship to enact change, given his financial power. They raised concerns about the reliability of promises made by billionaires, suggesting that such pledges may not lead to tangible results due to the influence of their peers.