Senate Democrats Demand Ellison Preserve Records on Paramount-WBD Deal, Trump Ties

Senators Demand Records on Paramount-WBD Deal

A group of eight Democratic U.S. senators has sent a letter to Skydance CEO David Ellison demanding he preserve all records related to the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction. The letter, dated July 17th, also demands answers about Skydance's interactions with former President Donald Trump and his administration during its pursuit of WBD.

The senators express "serious concerns" about the potential merger's impact on media competition and its national security implications. They cite Skydance's past financial backing from Chinese entities and Ellison's father Larry Ellison's reported meetings with Trump.

Focus on Trump and National Security

The letter explicitly questions whether Skydance sought to leverage any political relationships to advance its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. It asks Ellison to detail all communications his company has had with Trump, his 2024 presidential campaign, and officials from his prior administration.

"We are concerned that Skydance may have sought to use its political connections to undermine regulatory scrutiny of its proposed acquisition of WBD," the senators wrote. They have given Ellison a deadline of July 31st to respond to their inquiries.

Broader Scrutiny of Media Mega-Mergers

This action reflects heightened political and regulatory scrutiny of major media consolidation. The proposed merger would combine two of Hollywood's largest studios, raising significant antitrust questions.

The senators' concerns are amplified by Skydance's complex ownership history. While now primarily owned by Ellison and private equity firms, the company previously received investment from Chinese conglomerates Tencent and Alibaba.

• Preserve all documents related to the Paramount-WBD deal talks.
• Detail all communications with Donald Trump, his campaign, and former officials.
• Explain Skydance's past foreign investments and any related national security reviews.
• Describe any discussions about the merger with federal antitrust regulators.

The Key Players and Political Context

The letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Bernie Sanders, and five others. It was sent as Skydance is simultaneously finalizing its acquisition of Paramount Global, a separate $8 billion deal.

The focus on Trump connections is notable given Larry Ellison's status as a major Republican donor. The Oracle co-founder hosted a fundraiser for Trump earlier this year and has had previous meetings with him, though the nature of any discussions about media deals is unclear.

What Happens Next

Skydance and Paramount have not yet publicly commented on the senators' demands. The request for document preservation is a formal step often preceding a potential congressional investigation.

While the Paramount acquisition appears to be moving forward, the hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery has faced significant hurdles. This letter adds a new layer of political pressure, ensuring the proposed merger will face intense scrutiny on multiple fronts.

The senators' intervention signals that any future media mega-mergers will be examined not just for market impact, but for potential political influence and national security risks as well.