Warren’s statement, posted to social media on Saturday, came as reports emerged that Bonta is in “advanced talks” with Paramount about a possible out‑of‑court deal that would end the states’ antitrust challenge to the $110 billion merger.
The lawsuit, filed by California and 11 other state attorneys general, seeks to block the transaction on the grounds that it would concentrate too much media power in the hands of a single owner, David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, and could threaten competition and journalistic independence.
In her post, Warren linked the merger issue to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House press pool, warning that “the last thing we need is another Trump‑controlled media conglomerate abusing its power to stomp out competition.”
The “Block the Merger” campaign, backed by the Future Film Coalition, issued a statement on the same day condemning the rumored settlement, saying it would be “an insult” to the more than 75,000 people who have signed on to oppose the deal and to the industry workers, journalists and consumers who could be harmed by it.
Bonta, who has said he is open to a settlement, has urged Paramount to offer structural remedies such as divestitures rather than behavioral promises like the company’s pledge to release 30 films in theaters each year, arguing that only substantive changes would address the antitrust concerns.