New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has condemned the proposed $111 billion Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, calling it a threat to media competition, independence and public accountability. His criticism followed a settlement involving 12 states, including New York, and the Writers Guild of America, removing the last legal obstacles to the deal’s completion.

Mamdani praised New York Attorney General Letitia James for securing worker protections, while warning that the merger could give billionaires, including David Ellison, greater influence over what Americans see and hear. His comments came shortly after he hosted President Donald Trump at Gracie Mansion, highlighting their willingness to co-operate on issues such as housing and immigration despite major political disagreements.