Demand Progress

Block the Trump-backed Paramount media takeover!

Paramount's $111 billion deal to take control of Warner Brothers is raising alarm bells. Paramount subscribers filed a lawsuit to stop the merger citing that it would lead to higher prices, reduced choice, and fewer productions.

An FCC commissioner called for rigorous review of the deal's foreign investments after it was revealed that sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE will own a whopping 38.5% of the company post-merger. It presents national security concerns and disturbing questions about influence over American news coverage.

Most alarming is Paramount CEO David Ellison's friendship with Trump. Ellison hosted a private dinner honoring Trump and told the White House that Paramount would bring "sweeping changes" to CNN. Trump is close to gaining even more power over the American media, but Congress must take a loud stand and stop this merger.

Sign the petition: Block Paramount's takeover of Warner Brothers. America's free press, entertainment industry, national security, and much more are on the line!

FCC commissioner Anna Gomez called out Trump administration officials who have celebrated the Paramount deal and advocated for minimal review of the merger.

"I am alarmed by what appears to be an effort to rubber stamp a financial structure that places nearly half of one of America’s largest broadcast and media companies into the hands of foreign governments with documented records of press suppression and a troubling willingness to silence journalists," Gomez said.

CNN's Christiane Amanpour also raised concerns over the deal recently citing what's happened at CBS after Paramount installed Trump allies to lead the newsroom.7

Trump and Ellison are mounting a media takeover, which will fuel the White House’s far-right propaganda machine. Congress must step in as the Trump administration tries to push this deal through.

Sign the petition: Reject the Paramount-Warner Brothers mega-merger!



SOURCES:
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-sued-subscribers-warner-bros-skydance-deals-1236581570/
- https://www.reuters.com/world/fcc-commissioner-seeks-rigorous-review-foreign-investment-warner-bros-deal-2026-05-05/
- https://variety.com/2026/film/news/paramount-warner-bros-foreign-ownership-middle-eastern-funds-1236731732/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/business/media/david-ellison-trump-cbs-news.html
- https://www.wsj.com/business/media/paramount-netflix-warner-bros-battle-ellisons-a86fe15c
- https://www.reuters.com/world/fcc-commissioner-seeks-rigorous-review-foreign-investment-warner-bros-deal-2026-05-05/
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/cnn-host-sounds-alarm-over-153934736.html
I agree to receive emails and text messages from Demand Progress Action Inc. and agree to Demand Progress’ SMS Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Message and data rates may apply. Reply “STOP” to unsubscribe. While on this site, you may also see content from other organizations that use CivicShout.com, the content of which Demand Progress is not responsible for.