Merger Cleared, David Ellison to Join Trump at U.F.C. Bout
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- President Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday by attending a UFC bout held on the White House South Lawn in a specially constructed arena called the Claw.
- David Ellison, Paramount Skydance CEO and technology heir, will be a VIP guest at the event shortly after the Justice Department decided not to challenge Paramount's $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Ellison owns the exclusive broadcast rights to the UFC, having paid $7.7 billion last year, and the White House event's seven marquee fights will be available for streaming only on Paramount+.
- The Justice Department's clearance of the merger removes a significant obstacle for the deal to close, marking a major win for Ellison and the Trump administration.