Paramount Skydance chief executive David Ellison has publicly addressed the antitrust lawsuit seeking to block his company's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing in a New York Times opinion piece that the legal challenge is really driven by concerns over his future control of CNN rather than genuine market competition issues. Ellison, who previously stayed silent while California's attorney general, 11 other state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America filed suits against the deal, said his restraint had allowed others to shape the narrative instead, prompting him to speak out.

In the op-ed, Ellison insisted he would not use his position to influence news coverage at either CBS, which Paramount already owns, or CNN, which would come under his control if the Warner Bros. Discovery deal proceeds. He said he has voted for candidates from both major US parties and holds a mix of politically conservative and liberal views, but does not intend to steer newsrooms according to his personal opinions, stressing that journalists would remain independent and accountable to facts rather than any party. He also reiterated commitments to sustaining production output if the merger completes and pointed to competitive pressure from major technology firms on legacy Hollywood studios, though he did not directly reference President Trump, who has repeatedly cited CNN when discussing the deal.