Paramount Refuses to Air Ad Criticizing Merger With Warner Bros. Discovery

Paramount declined to broadcast a 30-second advertisement criticizing its $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery during the UFC Freedom 250 livestream on Sunday night, an event held at the White House to celebrate President Trump's 80th birthday. The Freedom of the Press Foundation submitted the ad to run during the Paramount+-exclusive broadcast but was denied by the network.

The rejected advertisement featured Trump calling journalists "the enemy of the people" and alleged that David Ellison, Paramount's chairman and CEO, could use his control of CNN to soften reporting on the Trump administration. The spot cited a New York Times report from April about Ellison hosting a private party honoring Trump while Paramount sought approval for the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, which the Justice Department cleared on Friday. It also included a statement from Scott Pelley, recently fired from 60 Minutes after changes at CBS News overseen by Ellison, claiming he was pressured to "inject falsehoods and bias" into reporting to curry favor with the Trump administration.

The FPF characterized Paramount's rejection as evidence of media consolidation concerns, with advocacy chief Seth Stern stating that "Ellison won't air criticism of himself, his company, or his buddy Trump" and criticizing billionaire ownership of news outlets that disregard First Amendment principles. The foundation alleged a conflict of interest in Paramount's decision, but the network declined to comment. CNN and the White House also did not respond to requests for comment.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over media ownership and editorial independence following Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount last August. State attorneys general in California, New York, and other states are reportedly preparing lawsuits to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger despite federal approval.