Overview
- Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Richard Blumenthal sent a late-night letter to antitrust chief Abigail Slater urging a review grounded in law and free of political pressure or financial influence.
- They asked whether Slater or DOJ staff have met with lawyers, lobbyists or consultants for Warner Bros. Discovery or potential bidders, or with White House officials including President Trump, and requested responses by Dec. 2.
- The letter cites reports that David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance is viewed as a favored buyer and notes that bids from Comcast or Netflix could face hurdles because of the president’s public views.
- First-round bids are due Nov. 20, with reported interest from Paramount Skydance, Comcast, Netflix, Apple and Amazon, and Paramount is reportedly the only party to have offered to buy the entire company.
- The senators warn a megamerger could raise TV costs for consumers and flag possible foreign involvement, referencing talk of Saudi sovereign-fund backing, Brian Roberts’ recent Saudi visit and Ellison’s attendance at a White House state dinner for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.