Avengers star Mark Ruffalo had some choice words for talk show host and comedian Ellen Degeneres, after she sat next to ex-president George W. Bush at a football game.
The controversy first arose after images emerged on Twitter of the comedian sitting next to the former President at a Dallas Cowboys football game. Many social media users were outraged by Ellen's association with Bush.
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Taking to Twitter, the Bruce Banner actor strongly criticised Ellen for choosing to be friends with Bush, writing: "Sorry, until George W. Bush is brought to justice for the crimes of the Iraq War, (including American-lead torture, Iraqi deaths & displacement, and the deep scars - emotional & otherwise - inflicted on our military that served his folly), we can’t even begin to talk about kindness. [sic]"
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Ellen herself has addressed the issue on her eponymous show. In a statement made to the audience, she said: "Here’s the thing. I’m friends with George Bush. In fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have. We’re all different."
She added: "I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s OK that we’re all different. When I say, ‘Be kind to one another’, I don’t mean only the people who think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone. Doesn’t matter."
Watch Ellen's defence on The Ellen Show below:
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However, a number of LGBT+ commentators and pundits have criticised Degeneres for her association with Bush, due to the former Republican president's stance on a number of prominent LGBTQ+ issues (including over gay marriage) during his two terms.
For example, Out Magazine stated: "Ellen DeGeneres laughing it up with someone who has actively tried to harm our community feels disappointing, irresponsible, and dangerous."