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DOJ Antitrust Chief Says Paramount-WBD Deal Won’t Get Special Treatment

By  |  March 19, 2026

David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has signaled optimism about completing its proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, stating it remains confident in the “speed and certainty” of clearing regulatory hurdles. However, the high-profile merger continues to be under review by the U.S. Department of Justice, where officials have emphasized that the process will proceed without special consideration.

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    According to Variety, the deal is currently under antitrust examination by the DOJ, and leadership within the agency has made clear that it will not be expedited for any political or external reasons. Omeed Assefi, the acting assistant attorney general overseeing the DOJ’s antitrust division, addressed speculation surrounding the review process in a recent interview, firmly rejecting the notion that politics could influence the outcome. He stated that claims of politicized enforcement are unfounded and stressed that the review will follow standard procedures.

    Per Variety, Assefi also pointed to previous major media transactions as evidence of the DOJ’s consistent approach. He referenced comments made by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who has publicly described prior regulatory reviews as thorough and impartial. In a separate interview with Politico Europe, Sarandos noted there was no political interference in Netflix’s own efforts related to Warner Bros. Discovery and indicated that oversight remained firmly within the DOJ’s jurisdiction.

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    Related: FCC Chair Signals Quick Approval Likely for Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery Bid

    Despite Paramount Skydance’s public confidence, the regulatory process could present significant challenges given the scale of the proposed merger. The deal would combine major entertainment assets, raising questions about market competition and industry consolidation.

    Paramount Skydance declined to comment further on the matter, according to Variety.

    David Ellison, along with his father Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder who is backing the bid financially, has been known to have connections with former President Donald Trump. Trump had previously suggested he might be involved in reviewing a similar media transaction, but later clarified that such matters would be handled by the Department of Justice.

    As the review continues, the outcome of the proposed acquisition remains uncertain, with regulators expected to closely examine its potential impact on competition across the media and entertainment landscape.

    Source: Variety