The Paramount Skydance mega-merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has had more twists and turns than a streaming thriller series, with Netflix competing for the legendary studio for a time before dropping out, but the two sides finally came to a $110 billion agreement in February.
It didn’t take long for the lawsuits to be filed, and leftist California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading an effort alongside 11 other Democrat attorneys general to block the deal because they argue that it stifles competition and would lead to fewer wide-release theatrical films being distributed, among other complaints. The Writers Guild of America filed their own suit shortly after.
But Paramount CEO David Ellison, son of the billionaire founder of Oracle and Trump ally Larry Ellison, says it’s really all about one thing: CNN. The thought of someone who isn’t a hardcore progressive controlling the fake news outlet gives Dems the chills.
In a Tuesday New York Times op-ed, Ellison the younger said the battle isn’t about what they’re saying it is:
Paramount CEO David Ellison says opposition to the Warner Bros. merger isn’t about market share but about “whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN.”
— Variety (@Variety) August 4, 2026
“I have regularly voted for candidates of both parties; I hold some views that would be called conservative and… pic.twitter.com/pfoRR81mMz
Paramount CEO David Ellison says opposition to the Warner Bros. merger isn’t about market share but about “whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN.”
“I have regularly voted for candidates of both parties; I hold some views that would be called conservative and others that would be called liberal, just like most Americans; and when it comes to our news operations, I do not aspire to lead these companies to bend their newsrooms to my views. I believe that news should be based on facts and truth. Great news organizations like CNN and CBS News are here to tell it straight down the middle. That requires newsrooms that reflect the whole world, not one side of it. And it requires independence. Our journalists will continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause." (via New York Times)
RELATED: RFK Jr. Forces a Long-Overdue COVID Reckoning on Dana Bash and CNN
Downer Ending? Iconic Hollywood Studio Considering Ditching Tinseltown for Friendlier Waters
The CEO went on to say that he has been staying silent about the antitrust lawsuit — until now.
Ellison said he has not heretofore publicly weighed in on the litigation aimed at blocking the Paramount-WBD merger because “I believe that anyone who oversees a news organization — I am chief executive of Paramount, which owns CBS — shouldn’t put a finger on the scale, especially on matters involving his own company.” So “when California’s attorney general, 11 other state attorneys general and, a day later, the Writers Guild of America sued to stop the deal, I stayed quiet. I quickly learned such restraint has costs. While I was silent, others were happy to write my story for me. No more.”
Paramount has one huge ace card in its hand that could be a game-changer should Ellison choose to play it: he could simply move the company to a state that actually welcomes businesses, something he and his advisors have actively discussed.
We’ll see if the Golden State succeeds in driving out yet another business, or if they’re able to come to a deal. If this thing heads to trial, expect it to be long, complicated, and expensive.
All because Dems are afraid that someone might make their DNC stooges at CNN straighten out their slanted coverage and start bringing the truth to Americans.
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy RedState's conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member