Paramount CEO to Host Trump Dinner During Critical $111bn Merger Review
Media executive David Ellison, the CEO of CBS News parent company Paramount Skydance, is reportedly planning to host an intimate Washington dinner next week honouring President Donald Trump. This event comes as the Trump administration weighs whether to approve Ellison's colossal $111 billion agreement to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, a media empire that includes CNN, HBO, and the Harry Potter franchise.
Timing and Details of the Controversial Event
According to reports from the media newsletter Breaker and Variety, Ellison will hold the dinner next Thursday at the U.S. Institute of Peace, just ahead of the White House Correspondents' Dinner weekend. The gathering is said to celebrate CBS's White House reporters, though it remains unclear whether President Trump has been invited or will attend. The Independent has contacted Paramount Skydance, CBS News, and the White House for comment and confirmation.
This development occurs at a particularly sensitive moment, as Warner Bros. shareholders are scheduled to vote on the merger agreement on April 23—the very same day as the reported dinner. The federal government's regulatory approval remains pending, adding significant scrutiny to Ellison's actions.
Political Connections and Previous Dealings
The Ellison family has established notable ties to the Trump administration. David Ellison's father, Larry Ellison—co-founder of tech giant Oracle and a prominent Republican donor—has been involved in several high-profile deals during Trump's presidency. Last year, the administration approved the merger between David Ellison's Skydance and Paramount, shortly after Paramount settled a lawsuit with Trump.
Following that acquisition, Ellison appointed anti-woke commentator Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Observers have noted that under Weiss, CBS News's coverage has shifted in a more Trump-friendly direction, with some staffers complaining the network has become "state TV" for the administration.
Broader Political and Industry Context
In March, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly expressed support for the Warner Bros. Discovery deal while criticising media coverage of the Trump administration. "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better," Hegseth stated at a press conference concerning the Iran war. CBS News has reportedly invited both Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as guests to the Correspondents' Dinner.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 prominent Hollywood figures have voiced opposition to the merger in an open letter, warning it would reduce opportunities for creators, eliminate jobs, increase costs, and diminish audience choice. They emphasised that the deal would shrink the number of major U.S. film studios to just four.
Additional Ellison-Trump Administration Links
Larry Ellison's Oracle is part of an investor group that now holds majority control of the U.S. version of TikTok, after the Trump White House pressured the social media platform to spin off its American operations. Oracle also participates in Stargate, a joint venture among tech firms aiming to build up to $500 billion in new AI infrastructure in the U.S., a project the White House has promoted as part of its "America First" tech agenda.
Furthermore, Oracle helped sponsor the administration's Washington D.C. military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, underscoring the depth of their relationship.
Official Responses and Anticipated Events
The Trump administration has dismissed suggestions that its connections to the Ellisons might influence the merger review. Justice Department antitrust official Omeed Assefi told Reuters in March, "The idea that somehow enforcement has been politicized is ludicrous."
In a related development, President Trump is expected to attend this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner, ending a decade-long absence since President Barack Obama famously mocked him at the 2011 event. This return adds another layer of significance to the timing of Ellison's dinner and the ongoing merger proceedings.
