Justice Department closed its Paramount-WBD investigation
The federal antitrust decision removed a major merger obstacle without resolving state litigation.
Entities and roles
- David EllisonParamount Skydance chair and chief executive
- Larry EllisonTrump friend and financing guarantor for Paramount Skydance
- U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Divisionfederal reviewing authority
- Paramount Skydance Corporationreviewed acquirer
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.reviewed target
- Donald J. Trumpsitting president closely allied with the transaction's principal financiers
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpmedia executive closely allied with TrumpDavid Ellison
- Donald J. Trumpclose Trump associate and financing guarantor for his son's media companyLarry Ellison
- U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Divisionclosed federal antitrust investigation without a challengeParamount Skydance Corporation
Claims and evidence
- factreported
AP reported that the Justice Department's Antitrust Division closed its investigation of the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger without bringing a federal challenge.
- Associated Press: Paramount Skydance merger with Warner Bros. Discovery won't harm competition, consumers, DOJ saysJustice Department Antitrust Division closure and no-federal-challenge passage
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery announce definitive merger agreementDefinitive-agreement announcement; final consideration, financing sources, and termination of the prior tender offer
- Associated Press: Takeover bid of parent company means limbo for CNN and some fellow cable networksPassages identifying David Ellison's Paramount control, Larry Ellison's financing role, and Larry Ellison's relationship with Trump