Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Closes as Ellison Defends D.C. Meetings
Skydance CEO David Ellison said Paramount has not discussed news operations with any political leader, and backed CNN's legal challenge to Trump.
Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery closed on Tuesday, and Skydance CEO David Ellison marked the completion of the deal with a press conference on the Paramount lot the same day, according to deadline.com.
Asked about his contacts in Washington, Ellison said Paramount has not discussed news operations with any political leader of any party. He also said he supports CNN's legal challenge to President Donald Trump's ban on the network from the White House grounds.
Ellison said he has been in Washington, D.C., pushing for a federal film and TV tax incentive since October of last year, and that he and Paramount chief legal officer Makan Delrahim were in the capital last week seeking to get the incentive legislation done by December 11.
Earlier meetings and prior statements
The questions about Ellison's political contacts follow a series of engagements over the past year and a half. In April 2025 he hosted a dinner for the Trump administration, and in June 2025 he attended a UFC match on the White House grounds. On the date Skydance's acquisition of Paramount closed, in August 2025, Ellison said he did not want to see the company politicized. He has also said he had a good relationship with President Biden. Senator Lindsey Graham shepherded the federal film and TV tax incentive effort through multiple meetings with Ellison and Trump.
A federal judge has sidelined the White House ban on CNN at least temporarily, with arguments set for a Thursday hearing on a preliminary injunction.
Quick answers
When did the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger close?
The merger closed on Tuesday. David Ellison spoke at a press conference on the Paramount lot the same day.
What did David Ellison say about CNN and the White House ban?
Ellison said he supports CNN's legal challenge to Trump's ban on the network from the White House grounds.
What is the status of the federal film and TV tax incentive?
Ellison said he has been pushing for it in Washington since October of last year, and that he and Makan Delrahim were in Washington last week seeking to get the legislation done by December 11.