California Attorney General Rob Bonta is sounding the alarm over the proposed $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by a Paramount-Skydance entity led by CEO David Ellison. Bonta stated that the merger is "not a done deal," promising a thorough investigation by the California Department of Justice into potential monopoly power and its impact on the state's economy. The Attorney General emphasized that his office intends to be "vigorous" in reviewing the deal to protect consumers and workers.

The massive transaction, which would combine two of Hollywood's most historic studios, faces a growing wall of opposition in Washington. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro and Senator Elizabeth Warren have called for the Department of Justice to scrutinize the merger, labeling it an "antitrust disaster" that could lead to higher prices for streaming and theatrical releases. A primary concern for lawmakers is the consolidation of media influence, as the deal would bring CNN and CBS News under the control of the Ellison family.

Local leaders are also preparing for potential fallout in the entertainment industry. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, recently voted to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the merger’s impact on local employment. Industry unions, including the Teamsters and the Writers Guild of America, have joined the opposition, warning that the promised "synergies" could result in thousands of layoffs and a reduction in original content production across the region.