Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, calling it a "shameful monument to corruption" following a legal settlement.
Key facts
- •The $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will proceed following the settlement of antitrust lawsuits.
- •Paramount committed to $1.5 billion in new film production investment and the creation of an editorial independence board for CBS News and CNN.
- •Twelve states, including New York and California, and the Writers Guild of America were parties to the settlement.
- •Connecticut Attorney General William Tong stated his office had demanded a full divestiture of CNN and CBS News as part of the legal remedy.
- •Mayor Mamdani’s comments followed a meeting at Gracie Mansion where he hosted President Donald Trump to discuss local policy issues.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly criticized the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday. His remarks followed a Monday settlement between Paramount, the Writers Guild of America, and attorneys general from 12 states, including New York, which resolved antitrust lawsuits and cleared the way for the transaction to proceed.
By the numbers
Criticism of the Merger
In a post on X, Mayor Mamdani argued that the merger threatens media independence and accountability. He stated that the deal grants excessive influence to billionaire David Ellison, whose company, Paramount Skydance, is leading the acquisition. Mamdani described the approval of the merger as a "shameful monument to corruption" and criticized federal leaders for their role in facilitating the deal.
Settlement Terms and State Reactions
The settlement, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, includes commitments from Paramount to increase U.S. film production, maintain a specific annual film release quota, and uphold union agreements. The company also agreed to establish an editorial independence board for its news divisions, CBS News and CNN. While New York Attorney General Letitia James noted the deal secures $1.5 billion in new production investment and worker protections, other officials expressed dissatisfaction. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong stated he had fought for a full divestiture of CNN and CBS News and expressed disappointment that the settlement did not achieve that outcome.
Context of the Mayor's Remarks
Mamdani’s criticism of the federal regulatory process occurred one day after he hosted President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion for discussions regarding housing and immigration. Despite their policy differences, Mamdani defended the meeting as a necessary effort to deliver for New Yorkers. While the mayor praised New York Attorney General Letitia James for the worker protections she negotiated in the settlement, he remained sharply critical of the broader implications of the media merger.
Timeline
- Last JulyAttorneys general and the Writers Guild of America filed dual antitrust lawsuits against Paramount Skydance.
- MondayParamount reached a settlement with 12 states and the Writers Guild of America to resolve antitrust litigation.
- Tuesday afternoonMayor Zohran Mamdani posted his criticism of the merger and the federal regulatory process on X.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Hollywood Reporter, Deadline.
