States Sue to Block $111 Billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and eleven other states filed a lawsuit on July 14, 2026, to block a $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Bonta argues the consolidation would limit the breadth of public information and reduce the number of journalists informing the electorate. While the lawsuit centers on antitrust concerns regarding a massive bundle of cable channels, the deal faces additional scrutiny over political influence.

Concurrent with the legal challenge, Representative Jamie Raskin sent a letter to Paramount CEO David Ellison questioning whether the company is pressuring CBS News to produce content favorable to President Donald Trump. Raskin alleged that Paramount is colluding with the administration to curtail media independence and stifle dissent, citing the firing of 60 Minutes journalist Scott Pelley and allegations that editor-in-chief Bari Weiss ordered staff to make anti-ICE protesters appear more violent.

These concerns follow claims that Larry Ellison, who is financing the deal, suggested to President Trump that Paramount would overhaul CNN. President Trump has stated he wants CNN to follow a "normal path." However, Paramount maintains that CNN's projected 2026 EBITDA of $600 million is critical for the combined entity to service approximately $80 billion in debt. Paramount previously paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit from President Trump regarding a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.