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Block Paramount's Trump-backed takeover at Warner Brothers, CNN!

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    Block Paramount's Trump-backed takeover at Warner Brothers, CNN!

    Petition to Congress:
    We urge you to block Paramount's deal to buy Warner Brothers. The merger violates antitrust laws, would hurt consumers and artists, and poses serious ethical concerns.

    Paramount CEO David Ellison hosted an invite-only dinner honoring Trump as Paramount plots a pro-Trump media takeover.1

    Paramount needs federal approval to buy Warner Brothers for $111 billion. That includes approval from the Department of Justice — and Acting AG Todd Blanche was also at the lavish Paramount-Trump dinner.2 The Trump administration has made no secret of its support for Paramount's takeover, especially because it would give Trump allies control of news networks like CNN.

    This deal would be a disaster for media freedom, workers, artists, the entertainment industry, and consumers. And it was just disclosed that sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates will own a whopping 38.5% of the company post-merger.3 Congress must step in and stop this deal.

    Sign the petition: Urge Congress to block Trump’s dream media takeover — stop the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger!

    Ellison told the White House that he'll bring "sweeping changes" to CNN, a constant target of Trump's anti-media attacks.4 What else did Ellison discuss with Trump about the corporate monopoly Paramount is building?

    At a recent press conference, Pete Hegseth sneered at CNN's coverage of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, calling it "fake news" and saying, "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better."5

    The mounting pro-Trump media takeover is a key part of the White House’s authoritarian power grab. Congress must step in as the Trump admin tries to push this deal through.

    Sign the petition: Stop the Paramount-Warner Brothers mega-merger.


    Sources:

    1. New York Times, "Paramount Throws Party for Trump as It Awaits Approval of Warner Bros. Deal," April 24, 2026.
    2. Ibid.
    3. Variety, "Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Will Be 38.5% Owned by Middle Eastern Funds Following Close: Filing," April 27, 2026.
    4. The Wall Street Journal, "Behind Paramount's Relentless Campaign to Woo Warner Discovery and President Trump," December 8, 2025.
    5. The Washington Post, "The Ellisons are building a media empire. Trump keeps cheering them on." March 17, 2026.