Schumer accuses Trump's DOJ of 'political manipulation' after it approves $111B Paramount-WBD merger

WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Justice approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery on Friday, June 12, without requiring any divestitures, concessions, or behavioral remedies, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the deal. 

The merger would combine major media assets, including CNN, HBO, CBS, and the Warner Bros movie studio, under one corporate umbrella. Democratic lawmakers immediately criticized the decision, warning it could concentrate media power, increase costs for consumers, and expand the influence of Donald Trump-aligned billionaires over major news and entertainment platforms.

Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats push back

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sharply criticized the approval, alleging political influence in the review process. “Trump’s special interest friends went to Trump’s DOJ to bless a merger reeking of political manipulation,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “To nobody’s surprise, Trump’s DOJ cleared the way.”

“This merger, above all, is about diminishing free speech and concentrating the airwaves to one point of view: Trump’s. Not to mention it will raise costs and hurt American consumers and workers,” he added. 

Sen Elizabeth Warren also criticized the decision, calling it “terrible news for every American who doesn’t want Trump-aligned billionaires to control what they watch and how much they pay.”

“The Paramount-Warner Bros. deal has reeked of corruption and influence-peddling. This fight isn’t over. State AGs must block this merger,” she stressed. 

Rep Becca Balint similarly argued that the transaction would increase concentration in media ownership and could have broader economic consequences for workers and consumers.

"This is the merger that would put TikTok, CNN, and CBS under the control of one mega business and force prices up, wages down," the congresswoman wrote. "But Paramount’s CEO David Ellison has been wining and dining Trump and his cronies so of course the DOJ approves it."

The criticism comes amid scrutiny of Paramount’s ties to David Ellison, whose Skydance Media merged with Paramount last year. David Ellison is the son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a longtime ally and donor to Trump.

DOJ says Paramount-Warner Bros merger will not harm competition

The DOJ said its review found the transaction was unlikely to reduce competition or harm consumers across streaming, television, and theatrical film distribution.

In a statement, the Antitrust Division said its investigation “determined based on the evidence received in its investigation that the transaction is not likely to result in harm to competition or American consumers,” adding that the merger could increase competition by creating a stronger rival in the media and entertainment sector. 

California AG says merger remains under investigation by his office

Despite the DOJ’s approval, the merger is not yet finalized. California Attorney General Rob Bonta continues to review the transaction and could still file a lawsuit seeking to block it.

Bonta, in a post on X, wrote, “The merger of Warner Bros and Paramount is not a done deal and remains under investigation by my office.”

For consumers, the immediate impact remains unclear. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have argued that the merger will create a stronger competitor capable of challenging larger technology and streaming platforms. Critics, however, contend that fewer major media companies could ultimately reduce consumer choice and place upward pressure on subscription costs over time.