Hollywood Stars, Politicians Blast Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Plans

A proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is drawing fierce criticism from Democratic lawmakers and Hollywood celebrities. Critics argue the deal would reduce competition, drive up prices, and eliminate jobs in the entertainment industry.

LOS ANGELES — A potential takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment and streaming operations by Paramount is generating significant pushback from politicians and entertainment industry figures across the country.

Democratic lawmakers are expressing strong opposition to the proposed consolidation, while Hollywood actors are raising concerns about its impact on the creative community and consumers.

California Senator Adam Schiff is demanding extensive review of any potential agreement, stating the merger “must be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny, free from White House political influence, to determine its impact on American jobs, freedom of speech, and the future of one of our nation’s greatest exports.”

Actor Tessa Thompson shared her concerns about the deal’s implications for content creators during an Associated Press interview, saying: “It’s worrisome. I would lie if I said — as someone that’s making work and producing work — that it isn’t worrisome. But I think the North Star always has to be: Do you have a story to tell? Is it important to tell it?”

Mark Ruffalo took to social media platform X to voice his opposition, writing: “Please let’s circle up all the State AG’s and talk about how this is going to kill completion in the industry and drive down wages, and product quality for consumers. There are lots of agents in Hollywood who can tell you how past mergers and consolidations have hurt their clients and business. There is lots of talent that can tell you the same.”

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren characterized the potential merger as “an antitrust disaster threatening higher prices and fewer choices for American families,” adding that “a handful of Trump-aligned billionaires are trying to seize control of what you watch and charge you whatever price they want.”

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy went further, posting on X: “Paramount should enjoy its growing news monopoly while they have it because when Democrats win back power we are going to break up these anti-democratic information conglomerates. All of them.”

California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that regulatory approval is far from guaranteed, stating: “Paramount/Warner Bros is not a done deal. These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny — the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and we intend to be vigorous in our review.”

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker promised congressional oversight, writing on X: “I intend to exercise Congress’ oversight authority and scrutinize this deal just as we did the Netflix transaction. And I will soon be unveiling legislation that would require DOJ & FTC to review all mergers under this Trump Admin and unwind any that are anticompetitive, bad for consumers, or put Americans out of work.”