Editor’s note: Please see the update at the end of this post. According to a deposition transcript, Tom Cruise agreed with an analogy comparing separation from his daughter to fighting in Afghanistan. The comparison is still extreme and inaccurate, but TMZ appears to have misrepresented what Cruise said. The update follows our original post below.

Tom Cruise touched a lot of nerves today when TMZ reported he believes his job as a professional actor is as grueling as fighting the war in Afghanistan. “That’s what it feels like,” Cruise reportedly said in a deposition in the custody battle over daughter Suri. “And certainly on this last movie, it was brutal. It was brutal.”

Actor John Stamos obviously disagreed, and Fox News international correspondent Mike Tobin hoped it was a case of misreporting.

Please tell me this is satire or bogus reporting: http://t.co/wwu1QXFir4 — Mike Tobin (@MikeTobinFox) November 9, 2013

Could Cruise really believe his job is tougher than serving in Afghanistan? A lot of people think so, and they’re not happy about it.

https://twitter.com/kristenmwyman/status/398987293618216960

In ref: to Tom Cruise tell him to get a 'real job' have him serve a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan then tell us how hard his job really is — Michael Allan Ward (@OpenMike1977) November 9, 2013

Acting insane isn't a "job". RT @TMZ: Tom Cruise — My Job's As Hard As Fighting in Afghanistan http://t.co/epSqQlM1aV — AG (@AG_Conservative) November 9, 2013

Tom Cruise compares his job to fighting in Afghanistan, by all means let the bullshit sail out of thine mouth lest it kills you. — joseph nti (@joseph_nti) November 9, 2013

This douche is an unmitigated assbag RT @TMZ: Earlier: Tom Cruise — My Job's As Hard As Fighting in Afghanistan http://t.co/kLEvgSfLws — Just me (@invisiblebre) November 9, 2013

https://twitter.com/Dan_Carpenter/status/398983078829641728

Actor #TomCruise compares his acting career to the career of a soldier? What a jackass. Get a clue Tom. http://t.co/IVLSQ0l0gn — anARineverycar (@anARineverycar) November 9, 2013

In an interview Tom cruise said his job was as hard as the soldiers in Afghanistan…Respect = lost — Sarai Laguna (@lagunabeachh) November 9, 2013

Jessie Jane Duff is a retired gunnery sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps.

So sad Tom. Just slap our amazing military who live for your freedom in the face a little harder. @DeatonCAPT @Lillydaggerrose @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

Geeze Tom. Why say something so insulting to our military. Let alone disrespectful to those who died in Afghanistan. Just stupid @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

Update:

In the deposition available on Scribd, Cruise appears to compare the feeling of being separated from his daughter to fighting in Afghanistan.

I read court deposition. Comparring his experience filming to military in Afghanistan who hasn't seen their kid is heartless @BaylorRangers — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

I asked him to apologize; he can clarify then. A soldier/Marine has fear they'll never see their child again. @BaylorRangers @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

His court deposition in article. Foolish comment to compare missing daughter to military who may never come home @BaylorRangers @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

Comments were said bout missing his daughter for 100 days. We don't need to go overboard. @Customex2 @stuartfarms @BaylorRangers @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

I agree. Poor choice of words. But headline is misleading. No one is reading article to c comment @AirCavKCCO @DeatonCAPT @BaylorRangers — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

He didn't compare his stunts to military. Comparred missing his daughter to being deployed. @Lillydaggerrose @vlb55jr @dawiteguy @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

A lot of parents say stupid things when in court. Needs to apologize then move on @dawiteguy @ksgaviota @vlb55jr @Lillydaggerrose @TomCruise — Jessie Jane Duff (@JessieJaneDuff) November 9, 2013

See page 173:

Tom Cruise deposition 2 by New York Post

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Update:

Jake Tapper followed up and shared even more context from Cruise’s deposition. Cruise was asked to clarify if he really believes that separation from his daughter while filming a movie is the same as military deployment. “Oh come on,” he replied, “you know, we’re making a movie.”

Editor’s note: After new details about Cruise’s deposition emerged, the title of this post was amended to more accurately reflect his statements.