A senior U.S. antitrust official rejected assertions that a proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance would receive expedited approval because of political ties, saying the deal will not be fast-tracked for political reasons.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi was quoted as saying it was "absolutely not" the case that enforcement actions in the matter had been influenced by political connections. He also said the Justice Department continues to pursue an active posture on merger enforcement, adding there would be "more to come" on both merger reviews and anticompetitive conduct cases.
The transaction has attracted attention amid perceptions that Paramount might encounter a smoother regulatory path, a view tied in part to relationships between the company’s leadership and U.S. President Donald Trump. Assefi pointed to prior merger reviews, including scrutiny applied to streaming platforms such as Netflix, as evidence that the department conducts a "fair and thorough" process.
In addition to addressing concerns about political influence, Assefi warned that so-called "acquihire" transactions by major technology firms could prompt closer regulatory scrutiny if they are used in a manner that appears intended to circumvent formal merger review.
Context and implications
The official’s remarks underscore the department’s stated commitment to vigorous merger enforcement and signal continued attention to transactions in the media and technology sectors. While the remarks do not announce a formal decision on the Paramount Skydance bid, they reject the notion that political factors will result in a faster or more favorable review.
Quotes
"Absolutely not" - response to whether political connections would speed approval.
"More to come" - on the Justice Department’s future activity in merger reviews and anticompetitive conduct cases.
"Fair and thorough" - characterization of prior reviews, including scrutiny of streaming firms.
The official’s statements highlight the department’s dual focus: ensuring merger reviews proceed without improper influence and remaining alert to novel structures, such as acquihires, that might be used to avoid regulatory oversight.