Actor Mark Ruffalo has ignited a fierce debate after claiming that 'white people' and billionaires are the primary drivers of crime in the United States, rather than the immigrants often criticised in political rhetoric.
The comments, made at a protest earlier this year but recently circulated in a viral video, place the Avengers star at odds with political narratives that often link immigration to crime. The remarks have drawn both support and scrutiny, particularly his assertion that the nation needs to be 'taken back' from the ultra-rich.
Ruffalo Blames 'White People' for US Crime Surge
During an interview with the New York Immigration Coalition, the actor did not mince words when addressing the narratives surrounding immigration and safety. Wearing a hat emblazoned with the word 'Immigrant', Ruffalo argued that the demographic often blamed for societal ills is actually the one propping up the economy.
'It's time to take our country back from this extreme wealth that has its hand all over the power of the nation,' Ruffalo stated. 'And become a beautiful, burgeoning democracy that works for the people and not just for the very wealthy.'
He then pivoted to a controversial comparison regarding criminal statistics. 'If you look at the statistics, most crimes are committed by white people,' he added. The actor also emphasised that the administration of President Donald Trump was 'scapegoating' foreign-born residents.
A Look at the Crime Data
According to Statista, data from 1982 to August 2025 shows that white individuals carried out 84 mass shootings, representing 54.19 per cent of the total. In that same period, data shows 26 mass shootings were carried out by Black individuals, 12 by Latino individuals, and 10 by Asian individuals.
RACES |
NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS |
| WHITE | 84 |
| BLACK | 26 |
| LATINO | 12 |
| ASIAN | 10 |
| OTHER | 5 |
| NATIVE AMERICAN | 3 |
| UNKNOWN/UNCLEAR | 15 |
Furthermore, data from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention indicates that from 2020 to the present, white individuals accounted for 5,335,610 arrests for offences including drug abuse violations, simple assault, and larceny-theft.
| Offences | All Races | WHITE | BLACK | AMERICAN-INDIAN | ASIAN |
| Drug Abuse Violations | 1,155,610 | 834,800 | 287,430 | 17,230 | 16,150 |
| Driving Under The Influence | 778,910 | 628,640 | 117,280 | 16,850 | 16,140 |
| Simple Assault | 906,980 591 | 591,230 | 277,590 | 21,650 | 16,520 |
| Larceny-theft | 629,020 | 425,220 | 182,210 | 13,200 | 8,400 |
| Aggravated assault | 381,190 | 236,520 | 127,010 | 9,780 | 7,880 |
| Drunkenness | 194,250 | 147,980 | 27,530 | 16,370 | 2,370 |
| Disorderly conduct | 225,800 | 147,530 | 65,260 | 10,430 | 2,580 |
| Vandalism | 173,770 | 118,440 | 48,380 | 4,270 | 2,690 |
| Burglary | 149,35 | 103,400 | 41,390 | 2,360 | 2,200 |
| Weapons (carrying, possessing, etc.) | 166,200 | 86,160 | 76,020 | 1,740 | 2,280 |
However, researchers note that a direct link between race and crime is misleading. Analysis of crime data from the 100 largest US cities suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as the gap between rich and poor and the quality of local schools, are more significant drivers of violent crime. Once poverty and education levels are accounted for, race ceases to be a statistically significant factor.
The data indicates that police shootings also occur more frequently in communities dealing with high crime rates, food shortages, and mental health crises. This suggests that violent crime and deadly encounters with police are more closely tied to economic deprivation and lack of opportunity rather than race.
The numbers tell a clear story. It turns out, violent crime and police shootings aren't happening because of who people are, but because of the situations they're forced to live in. It really comes down to a lack of money and opportunity.
Why The 'No Kings' Rally in June 2025 Sparked Controversy
Ruffalo made these remarks while attending a 'No Kings' rally in New York City on Saturday, 14 June 2025. The event was part of a nationwide day of protest organised to push back against what demonstrators called the 'authoritarian' overreach of the Trump White House.
Alongside fellow actor Ilana Glazer of Broad City, Ruffalo addressed the crowd with a speech that painted a dystopian picture of the current political landscape. He described the leadership in Washington as a collection of 'crackpots' and 'ICE brigades' who have dismantled democratic norms.
'Sadly, today Donald Trump and the administration of billionaires, crackpots and ICE brigades have taken over,' Ruffalo told the June crowd. 'We have a king, and his court, and his beige henchmen, and they're trampling on our rights and our laws and our freedoms.'
Actor's Wealth Scrutinised Amid Anti-Billionaire Rhetoric
The actor's rhetoric targeted the specific machinery of the current government, which he claims is enriching itself at the expense of public safety. He accused the administration of making Americans less safe with their love of other kings and dictators, and the likes of Putin, Netanyahu and Kim Jong Un of the world.'
However, Ruffalo's attack on 'extreme wealth' has drawn inevitable scrutiny regarding his own financial standing. Several sources estimate the actor's net worth to be approximately £71 million ($90 million).
This contrast between his personal fortune and his condemnation of the 'very wealthy' has provided ammunition for his critics, who view the Hollywood veteran as part of the elite class he was protesting against.
Critics might point to his own bank balance, but Ruffalo's message remains that while immigrants contribute billions to the US economy, it is the so-called 'kings' and their inner circles who are harming the nation.
