House Democrats have launched an investigation into the $8 billion Paramount-Skydance merger, alleging that Paramount may have given President Donald Trump an illegal bribe in the form of a $16 million lawsuit settlement to secure approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
In July, Paramount settled a lawsuit Trump filed over CBS’s editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement includes $16 million to be paid toward Trump’s presidential library and legal costs. Paramount also agreed to release full transcripts of future “60 Minutes” interviews with U.S. presidential candidates after they air, minus any redactions required by law or national security concerns.
Democrats claim the timing and structure of the settlement raise red flags. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD) sent a letter demanding that Paramount turn over all documents related to the Trump settlement, communications with the White House, FCC, or Trump Organization, and any side agreements between Paramount and Skydance.
The lawmakers specifically want details about whether Paramount offered Trump policy favors, promotional airtime, or advertising deals as part of a quid pro quo arrangement to gain regulatory approval. “We will continue to scrutinize the connection between Skydance’s offers made to the President prior to closing the deal, Paramount’s settlement of a sham lawsuit that enriches the president, and regulatory approval of the merger,” the letter said.
The FCC approved the Paramount-Skydance merger under the leadership of Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee. Democrats are now questioning whether the FCC overstepped its authority in approving the merger and whether the agency’s conditions are being properly enforced.
Shari Redstone, who controlled Paramount prior to the merger, defended the $16 million payout. “We may not like the world we live in, but a board has to do what’s in the best interest of shareholders,” she told The New York Times. She called the decision to settle with Trump a “no-brainer,” but admitted she didn’t ask for details.
