Trump Applauds Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger: ‘I’m Glad They Let It Go’

President Donald Trump expressed his approval of the recent $110 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday, stating he was "glad they let it go" as the deal resulted in the creation of Skydance, a new media conglomerate headed by David Ellison. Trump, speaking at the White House, expressed his happiness with the merger, calling it "a great company" and praising the individuals involved, saying "they're terrific people."

The president's remarks marked a political coda to one of the media industry's most closely followed transactions, which had required federal approval. The merger faced scrutiny due to Ellison's connection with Trump and future plans for CNN and CBS News. However, the Justice Department cleared the merger in June, concluding that it would not harm competition.

The deal faced a lawsuit from 12 Democratic state attorneys general before Paramount reached a settlement with federal judge approval on September 30. The settlement included provisions to protect the editorial independence of CNN and CBS News, such as the formation of an editorial independence board to set journalism principles for both organizations.

During Skydance's inaugural town hall meeting, Ellison expressed his deep belief in journalism and emphasized CNN and CBS News' significance in democracy. He also supported CNN's legal challenge against the Trump administration's decision to limit CNN, MSNBC, and Politico's access to the White House. Despite concerns about Ellison's relationship with Trump influencing the company's news divisions, Ellison has consistently pushed back against these allegations.

Ellison's ties to Trump, however, did become a backdrop to the merger, as he hosted a private Washington dinner for Trump earlier this year, alongside Warner Bros. Discovery executives and his administration officials, before the transaction was finalized.