Paramount Skydance has rejected reports linking its merger plans to promises about CNN. The company says it made no assurances to President Donald Trump or any government agency. The denial follows claims that changes to CNN’s editorial direction were discussed as part of efforts surrounding a proposed Warner Bros. Discovery deal.
Paramount responds to claims that it promised CNN changes to Donald Trump
Paramount Skydance has firmly denied a report suggesting it promised to reshape CNN in exchange for government approval of a potential merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery. In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly, the company said neither David Ellison nor his father, Larry Ellison, made any promises to federal agencies or state officials about CNN or any other news outlet. The spokesperson added that the company’s only objective is to support “truth-based journalism.”
The response came after The Wall Street Journal reported that Larry allegedly told President Trump that CNN could be overhauled if Paramount completed a deal for Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the report, both Larry and Trump have viewed CNN as politically biased against the administration. However, Paramount rejected that account. Meanwhile, White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump “has consistently maintained that he was neutral to all parties throughout the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding process.”
The deal has become one of the biggest talking points in the media world. This is because it would hand David control of some major entertainment heavyweights. This includes CNN, CBS News, several movie studios, and streaming services. The merger cleared a huge obstacle earlier this month when the U.S. Justice Department decided not to challenge the roughly $111 billion deal.
The timing couldn’t be more complicated for CBS News as the network is already dealing with internal drama. Veteran journalist Scott Pelley reportedly blasted new leadership following his exit from 60 Minutes. Pelley accused editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the iconic program during a staff meeting.
That controversy has only intensified questions about editorial changes after Skydance’s Paramount takeover. At the same time, President Trump has kept up his criticism of CNN. He recently called the network “very corrupt” during a White House press conference over its coverage.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
