Democrats intensify scrutiny of David Ellison amid Paramount-WBD legal battle

Key Points:

• Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, are intensifying opposition to Paramount's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, citing concerns over potential political interference and media consolidation, particularly regarding control of CNN.
• Raskin accused Paramount CEO David Ellison of colluding with former President Trump to influence news organizations and urged him to testify before Congress, highlighting reports of political pressure at CBS News and alleged assurances made to the Trump administration about changing CNN.
• The merger faces legal challenges, including a state antitrust lawsuit and a Writers Guild of America suit, which have stalled the deal; Paramount has agreed to delay completion until a trial or settlement by June 2027, with settlement talks ongoing but no resolution yet.
• Paramount's legal chief Makan Delrahim and California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed willingness to negotiate a settlement, though Bonta criticized Ellison's reported threat to relocate Paramount out of California as an attempt to pressure regulators.
• Critics, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, argue the merger threatens competition and workers' bargaining power in the entertainment industry, while Paramount maintains the deal is pro-competitive and has received regulatory approvals from multiple authorities.