Actor Mark Ruffalo has thrown his support behind billionaire Tom Steyer in the California governor’s race, sparking sharp backlash from his own progressive base.

The move drew attention because Ruffalo often criticizes billionaires and wealth inequality, yet he is now backing one.

Mark Ruffalo endorses Tom Steyer for Governor of California.

“Tom is a progressive who will work for the people of California, not to enrich himself or corporations… Tom supports taxing the rich (including himself) whereas Becerra has not supported calls to tax billionaires.” pic.twitter.com/77DDUCX7HW — TomHQ (@TomHQ) May 30, 2026

The Disney-Marvel actor made the endorsement on Thursday on Instagram.

His lengthy post praised Steyer’s work on climate change and condemned rival Xavier Becerra, whom he accused of being beholden to corporate interests.

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“Tom has spent the last two decades working to stop climate change.

Becerra is bought and paid for by Big Oil and other corporations that have spent nearly $50 million to elect him,” Ruffalo wrote.

Ruffalo admitted his discomfort with extreme wealth, saying he is “no fan of billionaires” and sees “no reason for people to have that kind of wealth.”

However, he tried to separate Steyer from what he called oligarchs, insisting that Steyer’s wealth was being used differently.

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“While I’m not a fan of billionaires and see no reason for people to have that kind of wealth, I think there is a distinction between an oligarch and a billionaire,” Ruffalo continued.

“One uses their wealth and power to amass more wealth and power, driven purely by greed. Their wealth is usually based on the exploitation of the land, environment, other resources, or people.”

He explicitly distanced Steyer from figures like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Donald Trump, and Jeff Bezos.

“Although Tom is a billionaire, I do not view him as an oligarch, unlike Musk or Thiel or Trump or Bezos,” he said.

Ruffalo also touted Steyer as a “progressive who will work for the people of California, not to enrich himself or corporations.”

He said Steyer would appoint an administration of “people who are progressive and solution-oriented.”

The actor framed Steyer as a bulwark against Donald Trump, noting that Steyer supports eliminating ICE and holding the agency accountable for actions within California.

Ruffalo claimed that Steyer would stand against corporate consolidation in the entertainment industry as well, citing the Paramount and Warner Bros merger.

He further praised Steyer for backing higher taxes on the wealthy, saying, “Tom supports taxing the rich (including himself), whereas Becerra has not supported calls to tax billionaires.”

 

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A post shared by Mark Ruffalo (@markruffalo)

Despite Ruffalo’s detailed explanation, many of his followers were not convinced.

Hardcore progressives flooded his post with criticism, accusing him of hypocrisy and suggesting that Steyer’s wealth made him untrustworthy by default.

“This is so disappointing to read from you. Steyer could help millions of people without ever holding office. With his money TODAY. But instead, he’s spent $300 million on his presidential run and this governor run. Billionaires should not exist,” one commenter wrote.

Another said, “Dear Mark, Tom is the perfect example of ‘if he wanted to, he would.’ Steyer doesn’t need the title of governor to do any of the things he claims to want to do, he’s a billionaire!!!”

Other users mocked the promises made about immigration enforcement.

“Making promises about ICE doesn’t mean he will actually do anything, or that he actually can. The problem Billionaires Promises, is getting Billionaire results when their Billionaire Friends turn their backs on them,” one wrote.

The backlash highlighted a persistent divide within the left regarding the role of billionaires in progressive politics.

Ruffalo’s attempt to define Steyer as a different kind of wealthy leader only seemed to deepen frustration among those who see any billionaire involvement in politics as suspect.

Nevertheless, Ruffalo stood by his endorsement, presenting Steyer as a candidate who would challenge corporate power despite his fortune.

For Ruffalo, that appeared to be enough to justify backing a billionaire in a race where he insists the stakes are higher than wealth alone.

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