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Former DOJ Antitrust Chief Joins Paramount Amid Scrutiny of Skydance Merger

By  |  September 28, 2025

The Hill reports that Makan Delrahim, who led the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division under former President Trump, has joined Paramount Global as its chief legal officer. His appointment comes just two months after Paramount completed its $8 billion merger with Skydance. Starting October 6, Delrahim will oversee the company’s legal, compliance, regulatory, and public policy matters, as well as its government relations efforts.

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    According to The Hill, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison praised Delrahim’s experience, noting his long-standing work with Skydance as a key asset. Ellison said Delrahim’s ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges will be vital as the company seeks to strengthen its position following the merger.

    Delrahim has become one of Ellison’s most trusted advisers in recent years. After leaving the Trump administration, he joined Latham & Watkins LLP as a partner, where the firm provided counsel to Skydance throughout the merger process, per The Hill. The Paramount-Skydance merger was finalized in August, solidifying the company’s new corporate structure.

    Related: House Democrats Probe Trump’s Role in Paramount-Skydance Merger Approval

    The move comes as the merger faces scrutiny in Washington. House Democrats Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey and Jamie Raskin of Maryland announced a probe into how the deal secured government approval. They have raised concerns about potential political connections influencing the outcome, according to The Hill.

    Paramount also recently settled a lawsuit with former President Trump, agreeing to pay $16 million over a dispute tied to a “60 Minutes” interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris. Lawmakers expressed alarm over comments Trump made in July suggesting he anticipated an additional $20 million in advertising and public service commitments from Skydance. Democratic senators subsequently pressed Paramount to clarify whether it or Skydance had promised any form of financial or promotional assistance to Trump, his family, or his administration.

    Source: The Hill