Story perspectives

Trump Dines with Paramount CEO After $111B Merger, Amid Protests

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump dined with Paramount CEO David Ellison at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
The dinner followed Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders’ approval of a $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger under Justice Department review.
Democratic lawmakers and CBS News staff protested, warning the merger could cut jobs and concentrate power.
Ellison pledged CNN’s editorial independence would be maintained after the merger.

History

Historical Context

The AOL-Time Warner merger filed on February 11 2000 gave AOL shareholders a 55 percent stake and received FCC approval the same day. Its $99 billion loss in 2002 warned regulators about media consolidation. That legacy shapes today’s Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal, now under DOJ review and debated by Paramount CEO David Ellison and Democratic lawmakers.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump dined with Paramount CEO David Ellison at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
The dinner followed Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders’ approval of a $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger under Justice Department review.
Democratic lawmakers and CBS News staff protested, warning the merger could cut jobs and concentrate power.
Ellison pledged CNN’s editorial independence would be maintained after the merger.

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