Larry Ellison and David Ellison sued by Paramount investors for 'government connection'
A shareholder lawsuit alleges that Larry and David Ellison secured regulatory approval for the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger through a corrupt deal with President Trump. The suit claims the Ellisons promised to influence CNN's editorial direction in exchange for antitrust leniency.
Why it matters
The lawsuit raises serious questions about the intersection of corporate media consolidation, political influence, and the independence of federal regulatory bodies.
Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) merger is facing legal hurdle. A shareholder lawsuit has been filed against tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son, Paramount Skydance Chief David Ellison, accusing them of striking a corrupt, ‘illegal’ backroom deal with President Donald Trump to clear regulatory hurdles for a historic media merger, a report has said. The lawsuit, filed by Paramount stockholder Paul Robbins in the Delaware Chancery Court, seeks to completely block Paramount’s massive $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).Citing the complaint, a report by Variety says that lawsuit alleges the Ellisons promised “illegal private benefits to President Trump” in exchange for the White House smoothing over federal antitrust barriers. According to the suit, this secret agreement included an opportunity to funnel cash to the president by settling his ongoing legal claims against CNN.
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