Mark Ruffalo takes savage swipe at Ellen Degeneres for hanging with George W Bush

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.

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]"

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: 

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."