Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Mamdani Calls Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger a Corrupt Monument
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized a very large deal involving Paramount and Warner Bros.
Discovery.
He said the merger could make the media less competitive.
He also said it could give wealthy owners more control over news and entertainment.
Paramount settled lawsuits brought by attorneys general from 12 states and the Writers Guild of America.
Those settlements removed the last legal obstacles to completing the deal.
The transaction is worth $111 billion and may lead to many layoffs.
Mamdani had criticized the deal shortly after meeting President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion.
Although Mamdani and Trump disagree on many issues, Mamdani said he would work with anyone who could help New Yorkers.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the proposed $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
Mamdani said the deal could reduce media competition and give billionaires greater influence over what Americans see and hear.
Paramount reached settlements with attorneys general from 12 states, including New York, and the Writers Guild of America.
The agreements removed the final barriers to closing the merger, which is expected to cause substantial layoffs.
Mamdani’s criticism came one day after he hosted President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion and emphasized cooperation despite policy disagreements.
- Who
- New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, state attorneys general, and the Writers Guild of America.
- What
- Mamdani condemned the proposed $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger as harmful to media competition and accountability.
- When
- Mamdani made the criticism Tuesday, one day after hosting President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion.
- Where
- The criticism was posted on X; the related meeting with Trump took place at Gracie Mansion in New York.
- Why
- Mamdani said the merger would give billionaires more influence over what Americans see and hear and weaken media independence.
Merger Critics
Regulatory Settlement View
Media competition and influence
Merger Critics
Mamdani argued that the merger would harm media competition, reduce independence, and give billionaires such as David Ellison more power over what Americans see and hear.
Regulatory Settlement View
The reported settlements with 12 state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America addressed the lawsuits and cleared the remaining barriers to the transaction.
Public accountability
Merger Critics
Mamdani called the regulatory decision a “shameful monument to corruption” and a betrayal of the American people.
Regulatory Settlement View
The agreements allowed Paramount to move forward with closing the transaction, although the article does not identify a public defense of the deal from its supporters.
- Transaction value
- $111 billion
- Merger parties
- Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery
- Legal settlements
- Paramount settled lawsuits with attorneys general from 12 states and the Writers Guild of America.
- New York official cited
- Mamdani praised Attorney General Letitia James for protections secured for workers.
- Deal status
- The settlements removed the final barriers to closing the transaction.
- Expected impact
- The merger will likely result in sizable layoffs.
- Trump’s position
- Donald Trump had not publicly commented on the deal at the time of the report.