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yesterday

Skydance Denies Bribery in Paramount Merger as Warren Urges Probe

Letters from Skydance’s general counsel to Senate Democrats deny bribery violations, distance the company from Trump’s lawsuit, reject any role in Colbert’s cancellation as the merger approaches its August 7 close under FCC oversight.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Wednesday's June 25, 2025 show.
NEW YORK CITY - FEBRUARY 17: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest John Oliver during Monday's February 17, 2025 show. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon affirmed that Skydance fully complied with U.S. anti-bribery laws throughout its proposed acquisition of Paramount Global.
  • McKinnon stated that Skydance was neither a party to President Trump’s “60 Minutes” lawsuit nor to Paramount’s $16 million settlement, noting contractual terms gave Paramount independent authority to handle litigation up to $50 million.
  • The letters clarified that Skydance had no involvement in CBS’s decision to cancel “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which Paramount described as a financial decision made independently.
  • Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized the responses as “dodgy” and demanded a full, independent investigation into alleged side deals with the Trump administration ahead of the merger close.
  • The $8 billion merger remains set to close on August 7 under FCC conditions that include installing a CBS News ombudsman to address bias complaints and rolling back DEI initiatives.