A trio of prominent U.S. senators—Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)—has launched an inquiry into Paramount Global’s efforts to settle a high-profile lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump against its CBS News division.
The senators are investigating whether the company’s actions could violate federal bribery statutes, as reported by Joe Flint in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. The inquiry centers on concerns that Paramount Global may be attempting to curry favor with the Trump administration to secure approval for its proposed merger with Skydance Media.
In a letter addressed to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, the senators expressed alarm over what they describe as potentially “improper conduct” involving the Trump administration. The letter questions whether Paramount’s efforts to resolve Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News are linked to negotiations for regulatory approval of the $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, a deal that would reshape the media landscape by combining Paramount’s vast portfolio with Skydance’s production capabilities.
The senators suggest that any concessions made to Trump or his administration in exchange for merger approval could violate anti-bribery laws, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other federal statutes prohibiting improper influence over government officials.
Potential Bribery Violations: The senators are investigating whether Paramount Global has offered or discussed any concessions—financial, editorial, or otherwise—to Trump or his administration to settle the lawsuit or secure favorable treatment for the Skydance merger. They argue that such actions could constitute an attempt to “exchange favors” with a public official, potentially violating federal anti-bribery laws. The letter specifically asks for details on any communications between Paramount executives and Trump administration officials regarding the lawsuit or the merger.
Changes to 60 Minutes Content: The inquiry seeks information on whether Paramount directed or pressured CBS News to alter 60 Minutes content in response to Trump’s lawsuit or as part of negotiations with his administration. The senators are particularly concerned about any editorial changes made to appease Trump, which could undermine journalistic integrity and public trust in CBS News. They have requested records of internal communications related to 60 Minutes editorial decisions since the lawsuit was filed in late 2024.
Merger Approval and Political Influence: The Skydance Media merger, announced in July 2024, requires regulatory approval from agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), both of which could be influenced by the Trump administration. The senators are probing whether Paramount has discussed or offered concessions to Trump or his allies to expedite or ensure approval of the deal, which would unite Paramount’s film, television, and streaming assets (including Paramount+, CBS, and MTV) with Skydance’s production slate, known for films like Top Gun: Maverick.
As of Tuesday, Paramount Global has not publicly responded to the senators’ letter.
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