Story perspectives

Lawmakers Protest Trump Dinner, Push Block $111B Merger

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Protesters and members of Congress gathered on the Mall to denounce a dinner honoring President Donald Trump.
The dinner was hosted by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
Actors and directors signed a letter opposing the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery merger and protested the Institute of Peace.
Rep. Jamie Raskin called the event an oligarch’s dinner, urged lawmakers to block the merger, and said a lawsuit by attorneys general offers a chance to stop $111 billion acquisition.

History

Historical Context

After AOL announced a merger with Time Warner in January 2000, the combined firm launched on Jan 11 2001 with AOL shareholders holding 55% of the company, a deal that later unraveled amid antitrust scrutiny. Lawmakers now cite that precedent while evaluating the Paramount-Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that similar divestiture demands could follow.

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Story summary

Protesters and members of Congress gathered on the Mall to denounce a dinner honoring President Donald Trump.
The dinner was hosted by Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
Actors and directors signed a letter opposing the Paramount-Skydance/Warner Bros. Discovery merger and protested the Institute of Peace.
Rep. Jamie Raskin called the event an oligarch’s dinner, urged lawmakers to block the merger, and said a lawsuit by attorneys general offers a chance to stop $111 billion acquisition.

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