Actor Mark Ruffalo Ruthlessly Slams Joe Rogan Over ICE Raids – ‘Either Not That Smart or Not That Dumb’ [WATCH]

Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo took aim at podcast host Joe Rogan after Rogan expressed surprise and disapproval of recent ICE immigration raids during a July 2 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.

Ruffalo, who frequently uses his platform to voice political opinions, did not hold back in his response, questioning Rogan’s awareness and judgment when it comes to President Trump’s immigration agenda.

On the podcast, Rogan sat down with Amjad Masad, CEO of software development platform Replit. During their conversation, Rogan, a known supporter of Donald Trump, expressed concern over the nature of recent immigration enforcement actions conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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“We were told there would be no — well, there are 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?”

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The podcast clip circulated widely on social media, with many viewers either praising Rogan for finally acknowledging what they view as the harsh realities of ICE raids or criticizing him for what they see as a late-stage awakening.

Among the most vocal critics was Avengers star Mark Ruffalo, who took to the social media platform Threads to express his outrage.

“Dear @joerogan. It’s a little late now to pretend like project 2025 didn’t exist and wasn’t the play book all along,” Ruffalo posted. “You are either not that smart or not that dumb. It’s hard to tell at this point.”

Project 2025 refers to a widely publicized policy agenda drafted by conservative think tanks in preparation for a potential second Trump administration, which has denied he has an association with.

Among its more controversial planks are expanded immigration enforcement and aggressive deportation plans. Ruffalo’s post suggests he believes Rogan should have been more aware of the implications of supporting Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign, especially given the detailed outlines in Project 2025 and Ruffalo’s belief that Trump espouses to the Project 2025 doctrine.

Ruffalo’s criticism hits at what many on the political left view as a broader issue: prominent figures expressing concern only after policies begin to have visible, human costs.

To Ruffalo and others, Rogan’s surprise at the ICE raids appears disingenuous, particularly in light of Trump’s long-standing, hardline stance on immigration.

This latest controversy arrives amid an intensifying national debate over immigration. The Trump administration has recently made immigration a central issue, with federal authorities conducting a string of high-profile raids across multiple states.

In June alone, ICE agents detained hundreds of undocumented workers in operations that targeted locations ranging from construction sites to private homes.

The backlash to these enforcement actions has been swift and widespread. Protests have erupted in several major cities, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Advocacy groups and immigrant rights organizations have condemned the raids as inhumane and excessive, accusing the Trump administration of criminalizing vulnerable communities rather than focusing on violent offenders or traffickers.

California has become a particular flashpoint. Last month, President Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to the state, citing the need for enhanced border and immigration enforcement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom challenged the move in court, asserting that it overstepped federal authority and infringed upon the state’s rights.

However, by late June, an appeals court ruled in Trump’s favor, allowing the federal government to maintain control over the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles.

These developments underscore the increasingly polarized nature of immigration policy in America, with sharp divides not only between political parties but also within the public sphere and entertainment industry.

Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo are using their platforms to push back against what they view as draconian and racially targeted enforcement strategies, while commentators like Joe Rogan—who often straddle ideological lines—are facing criticism for their perceived complicity or delayed reactions.

Whether Rogan will respond directly to Ruffalo’s remarks remains to be seen. He has, in the past, been known to engage with criticism, but often positions himself as a neutral observer rather than a partisan actor.

However, Ruffalo’s pointed message—”You are either not that smart or not that dumb”—leaves little room for ambiguity and signals a broader frustration with influencers who appear to only recognize the gravity of policy decisions once they become impossible to ignore.

While Ruffalo’s criticism may resonate with progressives who view ICE raids as heavy-handed, it misfires by implying that Trump ordered actions based on a grand Heritage blueprint.

The reality is: Trump is not associated with Project 2025 in any direct way, has publicly disowned it, and governs based on the mandate given on Election Day—not on another organization’s policy packet.

Trump’s immigration enforcement may be strict, but it comes from elected authority, congressional support, and national interest—not from some hidden think-tank hand guiding every move.

Ruffalo’s core gripe—that the springs of ICE enforcement were visible early—can be acknowledged. Yet it’s incorrect to conflate that with an attribution to Trump’s administration following Project 2025.

That argument contorts facts, smearing Trump with a label he’s explicitly rejected.

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