John Cusack, an actor in Hollywood’s “The Avengers,” backed fellow star Mark Ruffalo at the weekend. Ruffalo was defending himself against Paramount Pictures accusations that Ruffalo had used antisemitic tropes to criticize tech giant Oracle.
Cusack responded on X to Ruffalo’s long defense of Ruffalo’s remarks. The argument focused on Oracle’s ties with the Israeli military, and its leadership.
Ruffalo’s comments sparked controversy after he criticized Oracle vice-chair Safra Caz who is also on the board of Paramount. He then posted a video showing her talking about “really terrifying technologies” Oracle had used in order to help the Israeli military respond to the terror attacks by Hamas that took place Oct. 7,2023.
Ruffalo attributed his criticisms of Oracle to the proposed $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. by the Ellison Family. Discovery, by pointing out Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, and his son Paramount CEO David Ellison. He argued the deal would place CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros. in the hands of the same family, raising concerns over editorial independence and jobs.
The’really frightening technologies’ are likely to be combined into the biggest media conglomerate in the world, and used one day against you. “Look how she enjoys what we have now come to call a genocide that was built upon an Apartheid System of Oppression powered by Oracle”, wrote the Marvel actor in an Instagram post.
Paramount issued a subsequent statement in which it said it “was troubled by the use of antisemitic tropes” as part of what they described as a dispute between business partners.
Words such as ‘genocide,’ or ‘apartheid’ when applied to corporate transactions are not just incorrect. “They’re too extreme and cheapen what those words were meant to represent,” said a spokesperson for the company.
Ruffalo responded to the accusations of antisemitism, saying that the allegations were “appalling” and “fundamentally dishonest.” Ruffalo said that criticizing the Israeli government or military technology contracts, as well as the executive behind these deals, should not be considered criticism of Jewish individuals.
He said that scrutinizing the Ellisons and Oracle, which is based on surveillance, data and government contracts, and the threat of editorial freedom, as well as the potential loss of livelihoods for thousands of people, was fair and needed.
The $111 billion agreement would give one family complete control of CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros. This deal is backed by foreign funds whose influence over editorial decisions have never been explained fully to the public.
The public has not received a satisfactory answer from regulators, despite the fact that lawmakers on both sides have demanded a serious review of national security. The merger should not proceed until they provide a real answer. “Now is the right time to tackle all of these problems, and not back down or give in,” said Mr. He added.
A coalition of twelve state attorneys general who are challenging the merger have also questioned this potential merger. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed to delay closing the deal until either five days following a ruling on the merits by a judge in the case of the state’s claims, or the first day of June 2027.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Jim Berk, CEO of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said: “Words are important, as is the willingness to draw boundaries when antisemitic stereotypes overtake legitimate discussion. Paramount deserves praise for refusing to let prejudice masquerade as corporate or political criticism.
Christian Toto is the film critic and founder of Hollywood In Toto. He told Fox News that he thought Mark Cusack would have preferred John Cusack to remain silent. Toto pointed out controversial remarks Cusack made about the Middle East.
Toto added, “More important, this issue is receiving more attention, now that the antisemitism has flared up within the Democratic Party and the culture in general. This hasn’t yet bled over into Hollywood, Inc., but sooner or later it will. The Paramount merger battle is a possible example. Hollywood and Democrats want a solution to this issue, but others are fighting the merger with all their might.
He said, “This battle could turn ugly. It could become a Blue-on-Blue war within La La Land, which could be damaging to career.”

Need to Know
Hayden Panettiere died in the company of her boyfriend Brian Hickerson, who she had been dating for a while.
The New York Times has published a new report that claims Panettiere’s security had been given “clear instructions” to keep Hickerson at a distance during her book tour just months before.
This Is Me, A Reckoning is Panettiere’s memoir about the turbulent relationship she had with Hickerson.
Hayden Panettiere’s relationship with Brian Hickerson, her boyfriend who she dated on and off before her death, is now being revealed.
She had been in a relationship with Hickerson, who passed away on August 16 in South Carolina, since 2018. Her memoir This Is Me, A Reckoning was published in may, and detailed the tumultuous nature of their relationship.
According to The New York Times, Panettiere’s security team was given “clear instructions” to keep Hickerson at a distance from her during her book release in New York City, on May 19.
According to the publication, Barnes & Noble Union Square was given “specific instructions” not to let in a “man named Brian Hickerson.”
Hickerson, who was Panettiere’s companion at the time of her death, is mentioned in a PEOPLE police report. Brian and Zach Panettiere were both with her when she died. Brian also showed the police “a bag of medications” that she took. According to the report Zach was “very emotionally” when first responders came, but Hickerson did not show any emotion until Panettiere’s death was announced.
Hickerson spoke for the first in his statement, shared by Sloan Ellis, Hickerson’s attorney on August 20, 2014: “Hayden is still under investigation, and we must allow this investigation to continue. According to reports, the police have confirmed that there are no indications of foul play. “Out of respect for Hayden’s family and the investigation that is ongoing, we will not be making any further comments at this time.”
PEOPLE reached out to Hickerson’s attorney on August 24th and received no further comment.
Panettiere and Hickerson were together for many years. During that time, Hickerson was repeatedly arrested on domestic violence allegations. She released a press release in 2020 after his arrest for eight charges of domestic violence.
She said, “I will tell the truth of what happened in the hopes that it can help others who are suffering from abusive relationships get the support they deserve.” I am ready to do everything in my power to ensure that this man does not hurt anyone else again. My support system helped me to find the courage I needed to recover my voice and my own life.
She described the time she spent with Hickerson in a PEOPLE interview from 2022 as “a dark and complex time of my life.”
“I just wanted to have fun, and I did everything that I was not supposed to. My life was acting, but because I didn’t feel good about myself I stopped believing in myself. This is very harmful. “At the time, the idea of having no responsibility seemed very attractive.” She said.
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At the time, she had been friends with him. “I believe [Brian] did his duty and wanted to seek help. When I look back at my past, I remember the times when people have forgiven me. “You learn a lot in therapy about making amends. It’s incredibly important.” she added. It gives you inner peace.”

Kacey Mugraves has faced backlash for asking her fans to make a donation to an immigrant child’s rights organization as her birthday gift when she launched her tour “Middle of Nowhere”.
The country star celebrated her 38th Birthday on Friday at United Center, Chicago. Musgraves stopped her performance at one point to ask concertgoers for donations to the Young Center for Children of Immigrants’ Rights.
Musgraves stated, “It is a great organization that helps give legal assistance and money to the children of parents who have been unfairly deported.” It’s nothing political. These kids just need some help.
She said, “They don’t have any guidance or way of getting through it without the help of their family.” It’s okay, give me 50 cents. I don’t care, it doesn’t matter. That would be a big deal to me.
Musgraves said, “You can also choose not to do it.”
Applause and cheers greeted the eight-time Grammy Award recipient’s request in Chicago. Musgraves request was met with mixed reactions online. Conservative political commentators were among those who criticized her.
Tomi Lahren of Outkick’s podcast “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless”, wrote “What’s an unfair deportation?” on X, alongside a clip of Musgraves making a birthday wish.
What if she asked the crowd to give money to help children whose parents were killed by illegal immigration? Vince Langman, a conservative influential commentator asked: “What happened to country music?”
An X user commented, “Another TRAITOROUS women who only wants to see the country collapse.”
Shut up and sing Kasey! Why are musicians so confident that they can draw a line? “You alienate half of your audience,” said another.
Some critics have declared they will no longer be supporting Musgraves, and demanded a boycott against her concerts and music.
One critic wrote: “You’ve just earned a huge ol’ boycott, traitor.” The illegal aliens, their children and you do not deserve to be patronized.
Another X user said: “I’m deporting Musgraves” from my playlists.
Some social media users suggested that Musgraves donates her money instead of asking fans to give.
“Kacey is worth 15 million dollars.” One social media user said that she was asking her fans, who had already paid between $150 and $350 per ticket to make a donation to help the illegal immigrants’ children. If she really cares, she could fund the project herself and allow them to live in her million-dollar homes.
Another added, “Everyone who is listening to her (sic), gave her money when they purchased tickets.” She did not give money to the audience. Now that she’s got the money she can donate it to any cause. She’s on the stage of a show where people had to pay for admission and she wants more money from them. That’s rude.”
Some of her fans on Facebook defended the singer of “Dry Spell”, and thanked her for her advocacy on behalf of children who are immigrants.
“Love this. It’s nothing political. These kids just need some help. “More artists do this, please!” wrote a fan on X.
Another wrote: “In fairness, they didn’t commit any crimes.” “I do not believe their parents have been wrongfully deported. However, I also believe that their kids, if they are allowed to remain in the United States under law, deserve care. “We’re not f —- animal!”
A user of X declared “No boycott here!”
One commenter said that helping children in tough situations is an important cause. Immigration enforcement, and whether or not a deportation is lawful or justifiable are issues for courts and policymakers and not the concert stage.
Fox News Digital reached out to Musgraves’ representatives for comment
Musgraves, meanwhile, stood behind her comments on social media. She uploaded a picture to her Instagram Story that said, “Kinda cool when kids aren’t facing immigration court alone.”
She also shared a post from the Young Center Instagram account, where the organization thanked her.
The nonprofit organization wrote “Thank You.” We appreciate you supporting our mission and work to ensure that unaccompanied children are safe and free and reunited with their families.
The Young Center, based in Chicago describes its mission as a partnership between attorneys and social workers who advocate on behalf of unaccompanied or separated children held in custody by the government. On its website, it lists as priorities family unity, release of children from government custody, fair procedures and the best interests of the child.
In 2024, the nonprofit said it had served 1,975 kids from 53 different countries and opened 1,388 cases. In its 2025 report, the average time spent in detention for children increased from 30 days to 198 and parental requests for help quadrupled since 2024.
Musgraves continued to support the charity through Friday’s call. Depop, the resale marketplace, announced in April that she would sell 20 items from her closet, which included clothing worn for music videos and tour. Women’s Wear Daily stated that the proceeds will go to benefit Young Center.
Musgraves announced the sale without mentioning immigration enforcement.
Musgraves added: “I love that sales go to a great cause.”
Musgraves invited the three brothers (ages 12, 14 and 18) to perform at three Texas concerts in May, after their family had been released from ICE custody. KSAT reported that the mariachi performer’s family claimed they had entered via CBP One, a now defunct appointment system from 2023. They sought asylum as a result of fleeing violence and persecution in Mexico.
DHS stated that the Biden administration had released the family into the country after they were found to have entered the country illegally. DHS responded to the detention of the family by saying federal law requires custody until its immigration claim is heard.
The law stipulates that illegal aliens arriving at an entry port without a valid visa must be held until all of their claims have been heard. “You can check it out in the law,” said a DHS representative to KSAT. The Trump administration will not ignore the law, unlike the previous administration.
Musgraves made his latest comments as ICE enforced at record levels. Fox News Digital reported that federal sources said agents arrested about 51,000 immigrants in July. This was a record, surpassing the 43,000 arrests made in June.
DHS stated that “everyday, brave men and woman of ICE arrest and DEPORT dangerous criminal illegal immigrants, including gangs members, from the United States.”
Midland was the opening act for Musgraves North American Arena tour. The official tour listing showed that dates would continue through October.

Hulu decided not to renew Mindy Kaing’s “Not Suitable for Work” for a 2nd season. Two months have passed since the Disney streaming service ended Season 1 of the romantic comedy starring 20-somethings.
Hulu has recently dropped Buffy: New Sunnydale and Foster Dade, as well as Don’t Get High.
The cancellation of Not Suitable For Work leaves several storylines open for the five characters at its center, AJ (Ella Hunt), Josh(Jack Martin), Abby(Avantika), Kel(Nicholas Duvernay), and Davis (Will Angus), after the finale of two episodes ended with a major cliffhanger as well as a few smaller ones. All five characters were involved in love triangles by the close of the episode, including AJ, Josh & Davis, Abby, Kel & Kel’s theatre colleague, and Davis and AJ’s employment after standing up to Bill’s arrogance (Jay Ellis).
When Deadline interviewed Kaling at the end of season 3, she was hopeful that the series would be renewed.
She revealed that the writers’ room was up and running for Season 2. “This is fantastic,” she said in June. The big question, of course, is if we will get an official production pickup. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It’s great that the show is doing so well. “I’m so pleased to see how the writers and cast love the show and that they express their affection through the various social media posts.”
Not Suitable for Work’s cancellation raises concerns about the viability and success of series which rely on largely undiscovered young actors, or do not adhere to the traditional YA romance tropes. This may deter streamers from selecting shows with a smaller audience that may not be as easily marketed and that may not have a large enough following. The comedy received mixed reviews from critics (54%) but was a big hit with the audience, scoring an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Kaling completed her trilogy, loosely based upon her own life. It began with Never Have I Ever which documents the teen years, followed by The Sex Lives Of College Girls and concluded with NSFW, a film about life after college in New York.
Hunt, Avantika Martin Duvernay, Angus and Ellis were the main actors of Season 1. Kaling produced the show with Charlie Grandy and Greg Mottola.
Variety was the first to report on this cancellation.

Note from the Editor: The story may contain sensitive material that is disturbing to some.
Target issued an apology on Monday, saying it had discontinued a costume for Halloween that depicted a clown from a circus. Critics claimed the costume evoked Blackface or minstrel performances.
This product was sold under the name “Kids’ Glows Under Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume.” Some consumers said it looked like a racist cartoon.
Target issued a public apology. “We are sorry that we made this mistake as a business.” The costume was offensive and shouldn’t have been in our collection. The costume is not available to buy.”
The US retailer is trying to correct its course after several months of disappointing sales. It also came under fire for its treatment of the products from its Pride Collection 2023, as well as its changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in response to President Donald Trump’s return to office.
Target refused to make any comment about who created the product, which is sold under its seasonal Hyde & EEK Boutique label. They also declined to discuss the approval process for the sale of the item. Target stated that it would “look closely at what happened and how to make changes.”
On Monday, some Black customers who were alienated by Target’s DEI 2025 rollbacks expressed a new disappointment. Sheletta Bundidge, an area business leader in Minneapolis, believes that the costume is indirect consequence of Target’s DEI decision. She said: “You’ve rolled back the diversity, so who is in this room now to say, ‘hey, that’s wrong?’
Target’s statement acknowledged that the costume “was especially hurtful to our Black guests and team members.”
Despite being a Target brand, Hyde & EEK have been resold by retailers such as Walmart, Amazon and Etsy. Reuters could not find the product in question at these sites. Walmart’s spokeswoman confirmed that she was unaware of the item in question being sold. Amazon and Etsy didn’t immediately reply to comments.
Target has seen its efforts to reduce prices and refresh merchandise pay off. The new CEO Michael Fiddelke is receiving praise from Wall Street.
Brett Husslein is an analyst with Morningstar. He said that the company, which can’t compete on price with Walmart or Costco, has very little margin for error in terms of management and optical mistakes.
He said that as Target gains traction with its efforts to repair the brand’s reputation, this type of thing is what they are trying to avoid. Any headwind, whether it be optical, macroeconomic, or managerial could lead to more market share loss.
Target shares rose 2.7% during afternoon trading.