Full Breakdown
Paramount CEO Hosts Private Dinner with President Trump as $111 Billion Warner Bros. Deal Awaits Antitrust Review
4/28/2026, 12:36:44 AM
Private Dinner Highlights the Deal’s Political Dimension
On Thursday, David Ellison, founder and chief executive of Paramount Global, convened a closed-door dinner at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. The guest list included President Donald Trump, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Paramount’s chief legal officer Makan Delrahim, and senior journalists from CBS News—Bari Weiss, editor in chief, and former “Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell. President Trump addressed the assembled group for nearly an hour. The gathering occurred as Paramount seeks federal approval for its $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a transaction that would bring CNN, HBO and other assets under Ellison’s control.
Background and Context of the Acquisition
Paramount’s proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery represents one of the largest media consolidations in recent history. The deal would combine Paramount’s existing portfolio—including CBS News and the Paramount film and television studios—with Warner Bros.’s cable networks and streaming properties. Because the transaction would significantly increase market concentration in news and entertainment, the Justice Department’s antitrust division has been tasked with reviewing the merger for compliance with competition law. Approval is required before the deal can be finalized.
Key Figures and Their Roles
- David Ellison – Founder, chairman and CEO of Paramount Global; leading the acquisition effort.
- Paramount Global – Media conglomerate seeking to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Warner Bros. Discovery – Target of the $111 billion purchase; owner of CNN, HBO, and other assets.
- President Donald Trump – Hosted the dinner, delivered a lengthy address to attendees.
- Todd Blanche – Acting Attorney General, overseeing the Justice Department’s antitrust division reviewing the deal.
- Makan Delrahim – Paramount’s chief legal officer, present at the dinner.
- Bari Weiss – Editor in chief of CBS News, a Paramount-owned outlet.
- Norah O’Donnell – Former “Evening News” anchor, CBS News journalist.
- Marco Rubio – Secretary of State, participant in the dinner.
- Stephen Miller – Deputy White House chief of staff, participant in the dinner.
Core Data and Statistics
- Deal value: $111 billion.
- Assets affected: CNN, HBO, CBS News, Paramount’s film and television studios, and additional Warner Bros. Discovery properties.
- Regulatory body: U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, led by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Official Statements and Responses
President Trump’s remarks, delivered over a nearly hour-long speech, emphasized the strategic importance of media consolidation for the United States but were not quoted verbatim in the source material. No formal statements from the Justice Department or Paramount regarding the dinner were provided in the available excerpts.
What’s Next
The Justice Department’s antitrust review remains pending; its outcome will determine whether the $111 billion merger proceeds. In the immediate term, President Trump is scheduled to speak at the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association black-tie dinner, an event that will draw the broader Washington press corps. The resolution of the antitrust review and any subsequent public commentary are expected to shape the final stages of the acquisition.
