Democratic lawmakers are intensifying their scrutiny of Paramount CEO David Ellison as the company seeks to settle a state antitrust lawsuit that has stalled its deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.

Concerns Over Media Consolidation

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to Ellison accusing him of colluding with President Trump and urging him to answer questions about the deal. The letter highlights concerns about Paramount taking control of Warner-owned CNN and the potential impact on media consolidation.

Ellison has stated that he wants to bring CNN back to its news roots, but Raskin’s letter suggests that Paramount’s dealings with the Trump administration will be a priority for the Judiciary Committee if Democrats regain the House majority.

Regulatory Approvals and Lawsuits

Paramount has consistently said that the deal is pro-competitive, pointing to regulatory approvals from the Justice Department and other authorities around the world. However, the deal is frozen due to the state antitrust lawsuit and a parallel lawsuit from the Writers Guild of America.

A trial is slated to be held in March, but a settlement is possible before then. Paramount has agreed not to complete the merger until a trial is held or until June 1, 2027.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.