Mark Ruffalo takes a jab at Trump and calls for end to ‘division and hatred’ in Emmys speech
ACTOR Mark Ruffalo called for an end to “division and hatred” in a speech that appears to take a jab at President Trump at the Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
The Hollywood star used his moment in the spotlight to give an impassioned speech about the importance of voting while accepting his prize.
“Are we going to be a country of division and hatred, a country only for a certain kind of people, or are we going to be one of love and strength, fighting so all of us have the American dream?” the 52-year-old said.
Ruffalo had just won his first Outstanding Lead Actor honor for playing twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in HBO’s family saga I Know This Much Is True.
The actor, who is well known for his political stance against President Trump, used his acceptance speech at Sunday’s primetime ceremony to encourage fans to vote for “compassion and kindness” in November, though he did not mention the president or Joe Biden by name.
He began the speech by touching on the significance of his role and the concept of I Know This Much Is True.
“Our story is about family. It’s about a man who’s fighting for his brother, who’s living with mental illness. It’s a story that’s common throughout so much of the United States and the world today,” Ruffalo said.
He continued: “It asks a big question: How are we going to deal, and honor, and take care of each other, and our most vulnerable people? We do that with love and compassion, and we do that by fighting for them, and that’s what we have to do today”
Ruffalo then pivoted to speaking about the larger cultural and political moment, calling on Americans with more privilege to fight for unity and diversity.
“If you have privilege, you have to fight for those who are less fortunate and more vulnerable. That’s what’s great about America, our diversity.
“We have a big, important moment ahead of us. Are we going to be a country of division and hatred, a country only for a certain kind of people, or are we going to be one of love and strength, fighting so all of us have the American dream?” he said.
“That’s what we’re facing right now, so go out and vote for compassion and kindness.”
Following his impassioned acceptance speech, people took to Twitter to voice their praises and disappointment at Ruffalo.
A user tweeted: “Mark, I knew you would win. As someone who has dealt with a loved one with schizophrenia your performance was awesome and spot on. Congratulations!”
“@MarkRuffalo, Congratulations! I absolutely love everything you’re in. You’re an incredible actor and I love watching all your movies. Also, your speech tonight was so touching & also very powerful,” another person said.
Some questioned Ruffalo’s intention and wrote: “I found it interesting that he said to vote for kindness and compassion. It would have been helpful if he said to act with kindness and compassion. Leftists terrorizing the nation, maybe he should have addressed that, but chances are he most likely encourages it.”
One person jokingly said that Ruffalo was urging people to vote for President Trump.
“So Mark Ruffalo, just told us all to vote republican! Thanks @MarkRuffalo for pointing out that there is nothing about love, kindness and compassion from the left! I’m voting @realDonaldTrump in person!”
Mark Ruffalo is not a fan of President Trump and made that clear in an interview with Sky News in March of this year when he said that “The world should consider President Donald Trump as public enemy number 1” in terms of climate change policy.
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Later in May, Ruffalo criticized the president for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and responded to a tweet in which Trump was complaining about journalists’ reporting on the Russian investigation.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the former Bernie Sanders supporter urged his Twitter followers to turn their anger to action at the voting booth this November by kicking Trump’s a**.
“One way or another we are going to #KickTrumpsA–,” the actor tweeted in January. “Keep your anger, fear, and love where they belong and we will win. All for one and one for all!”