Gwyneth Paltrow has never seemed especially concerned about stirring debate. From promoting jade eggs for intimate wellness and vaginal steaming to launching the provocatively named candle “This Smells Like My Vagina,” the actress-turned-wellness entrepreneur has built a public image that often invites strong reactions.
Over time, many of her more unusual claims have become so familiar that they no longer generate the same level of shock they once did.
That changed, however, when Paltrow began speaking more candidly about politics. She recently revealed that her husband, television writer-producer Brad Falchuk, 55, once thought she was a Republican. Days later, she appeared in an advertisement for luxury real estate in Israel, a move that quickly drew criticism and reignited controversy online.
Paltrow, 53, faced backlash on X, where one user accused her of being “consciously uncoupled from morality,” referencing the phrase she famously used in 2014 when announcing her split from then-husband Chris Martin. Another pro-Palestinian critic wrote that there was “something deeply unspeakably sinister” about “this thin, wealthy, white woman” appearing to “collaborate with a state committing genocide.”
According to reports, the political fallout may not be limited to public reaction. It appears the subject has also caused tension closer to home, including with Falchuk.
A source told the Daily Mail that political conversations in the Paltrow-Falchuk household have, at times over the years, become “heated.”
Gwyneth Paltrow has faced a backlash in recent days after claiming her husband thought she was Republican and then fronting an ad for a luxury real estate development in Israel (pictured in June 2024)
One insider told us that some political discussions have, at times, become ‘heated’ in the Paltrow-Falchuk household, so much so they have decided to avoid them to ‘keep the peace’ (Paltrow and her husband Brad Falchuk pictured together in December 2025)
‘Gwyneth knows she’s a polarizing figure and she thrives on it,’ the insider said. ‘Brad’s the total opposite. The fact he works behind the scenes in the industry is perfect for him. He’s not known as Mr Paltrow which he’s pleased about.
‘He and Gwyneth have different political leanings. In the past that’s lead to heated arguments between them.
‘He tends to ignore some of her more outrageous statements or he just shakes his head. Brad’s found that not getting into it with her is the best way to keep the peace sometimes.’
Another source added: ‘Brad tends to favor a more measured, status-quo approach and wants the best outcome for everyone, while Gwyneth is more of a firecracker, never afraid to challenge the norm or speak her mind. Their differences cause some fights but also is something that they love about each other. If she were to take it further though, then we would be seeing some issues.’
Paltrow opened up about her political leanings on a recent episode of her Goop podcast with guest Trae Stephens.
Stephens, co-founder of AI defense company Anduril, praised Paltrow for saying she wanted to ‘engage in more dialogue’ with people who have different opinions from hers.
‘I notice with my own husband, too, who’s the best person ever in the world. And he’s so progressive,’ she said. ‘He has such a sweetheart and he wants to, like, make sure everybody’s looked after. And I think in this climate, sometimes I’m like, “Can you just listen to this?”‘
She continued: ‘In my journey through being an American right now, trying to sort of weave together lots of different points of view, and also to get out of that place of righteousness and anger and fear.’
The ad, for 51 Park, sees the actress, 53, waking up in a high-rise apartment building and getting ready for the day, all while extolling the benefits of living near a park (pictured)
‘She didn’t do it for the money. She has enough. She did it to promote Israel at a time when many celebs are coming out pro-Palestine,’ a source told the Daily Mail
‘And I mean, I’m pretty centrist, and my husband thinks I’m a Republican,’ she said before clarifying that she is ‘not a Republican.’
But the nail in the coffin for listeners was when she declared: ‘I don’t feel anything right now, to be totally honest with you. I feel like I’m completely an independent.’
‘She “doesn’t FEEL anything right now?” Gwyneth Paltrow. JFC […] This comes off as tone deaf, entitled, elitist, and severely void of empathy, compassion, or humanity. Yikes. Big fail,’ wrote one listener.
And if that wasn’t enough – days later her collaboration with Israeli real estate group Aviv Melisron dropped, sparking intense backlash and claims she is supporting the country’s war in Gaza and Lebanon.
The actress is seen waking up in a high-rise apartment building, going for a morning run and getting ready for the day, all while extolling the benefits of living near a park.
‘There’s a reason the world’s most iconic buildings are by a park,’ she says in the one-minute video (which was filmed in New York City), as she tells a driver to take her to ’51 Park’ – a major luxury residential development in the affluent Israeli city of Herzliya just north of Tel Aviv.
Among those lambasting the Iron Man actress, who has been nicknamed ‘Gwynocide,’ is Alana Hadid, the pro-Palestinian activist sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid.
‘Dude the level of unhinged capitalism is f*****g astounding. Brutal. Girl. Have you opened a newspaper or watch the news,’ she asked online. ‘This is not even tone deaf it’s actually complicit.’
Others leapt to her defense, praising her pride at her Jewish heritage, showing support for Israel amid a surge in antisemitism around the world and for ‘standing on the right side of history.’ ‘The biggest stars know that refusing to dehumanize Israelis isn’t just great business. It’s the right thing to do,’ wrote one social media user.
Paltrow was born to Blythe Danner and the late Bruce Paltrow, who was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent (Paltrow pictured with her father before his death in 2002)
A second insider said: ‘Gwyneth has been more in touch with who she is and her background since October 7. She’s always celebrated being Jewish, but even more so now she has wanted to find other ways to speak up for what she believes’
We’re told Paltrow has no desire to move into politics and her decision to team up with the real estate firm was not financially motivated.
So why did she do it?
‘Her recent pro-Israel stance isn’t anything new,’ said our insider. ‘She’s always considered herself a supporter of Israel and the Jewish community. Her father was Jewish, as is her godfather, Steven Spielberg, and so is Brad. She’s even considered converting.
‘The fact she’s the face of a new ad campaign that’s gone viral was her choice. And her choice alone. She didn’t do it for the money. She has enough. She did it to promote Israel at a time when many celebs are coming out pro-Palestine.’
The turning point for Paltrow, who once referred to herself as a ‘Jewish princess,’ was reportedly October 7 – when the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas murdered approximately 1,200 Israelis – something that another insider said helped the actress to get closer to her Jewish faith.
Paltrow was born to Blythe Danner and the late Bruce Paltrow, who was of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Her godfather Steven Spielberg is also Jewish. Her husband Falchuk, who she married in September 2018, is a Jewish-American.
In 2014, it was reported that the actress was quietly converting to Judaism after years of following Kabbalah, which originated in Judaism. The move was sparked after she discovered she comes from a rabbinical dynasty on NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?
‘Gwyneth has been more in touch with who she is and her background since October 7,’ the source said. ‘She’s always celebrated being Jewish, but even more so now she has wanted to find other ways to speak up for what she believes in and she is a proud Jew and has gotten closer to her faith.
‘She’s always believed in what she believes.’
Paltrow used her platform to raise awareness about the hostages’ plight, sharing the hashtag ‘#NoHostageLeftBehind’ and signing an open letter to President Joe Biden. She was vocal in her support of the families of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from southern Gaza in September 2024. ‘To the families of each hostage whose life was stolen, I have thought of you every day for 11 months, but today I send you my heart,’ she wrote on her Instagram stories.
And despite this week’s backlash, Paltrow has no plans to retreat, neither does she fear being cancelled.
‘What she fears is staying quiet and being noncommittal,’ said our first insider. ‘She has zero political aspirations and doesn’t intend to run for any public office. But she’s far from shy about sharing her views about anything. She knows she has her fans and detractors too. It doesn’t bother her.’
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Paltrow for comment.
