President Trump holds private dinner with CBS News executives amid Paramount's acquisition bid
Updated
Updated · Variety · Apr 25
President Trump holds private dinner with CBS News executives amid Paramount's acquisition bid
13 articles · Updated · Variety · Apr 25
The dinner, attended by CBS News executives and Washington staffers, took place Thursday as Paramount seeks approval to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, with Trump speaking for an hour at the event.
The meeting, which drew protests outside, occurred during a weekend of high-profile media gatherings ahead of the White House Correspondents Dinner, where Trump is expected to make remarks for the first time in his presidency.
Media executives and journalists discussed industry challenges, including declining TV ratings and digital competition, as the news business anticipates increased attention and advertising with the upcoming midterm elections.
How does a major security failure at a media dinner impact the future of press access?
Will the attack permanently alter the tradition of the White House Correspondents' Dinner?
After the WHCD security breach, what changes are needed for all high-profile public events?
Is a projected surge in election ad spending enough to save struggling traditional news networks?
Could the massive Paramount-WBD media merger create an entertainment and news giant beyond regulatory control?
How is artificial intelligence reshaping political advertising faster than regulators can respond?
The $111 Billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger: Media Consolidation, Political Ties, and the Fight for Editorial Independence
Overview
On April 23, 2026, David Ellison hosted a controversial dinner attended by President Trump, key Trump officials, CBS executives including Bari Weiss, and the DOJ antitrust chief Todd Blanche, who oversees the regulatory review of the $111 billion Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. This merger, backed by massive financing guaranteed by Larry Ellison, aims to create a media giant combining major studios, streaming platforms, and news outlets like CNN and CBS News. The deal sparked fears of political-media collusion, threats to editorial independence, and significant job losses due to aggressive cost-cutting. A broad coalition of Hollywood professionals, unions, and Democratic politicians opposes the merger, warning it concentrates media power and harms competition, creativity, and democracy.