The media landscape is on the brink of significant change following the Department of Justice’s approval of a $110bn acquisition. David Ellisona prominent ally of former President Donald Trumphas been cleared to take control of Warner Bros Discovery through his company Paramount Skydance.
This move could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for major news networks like CNN and CBS News. Ellison, known for his conservative leanings, has already made substantial changes at CBS News, leading to a wave of firings and the potential loss of popular late-night shows critical of Trump.
Ellison’s Influence on Major News Networks
Ellison’s acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery would give him control over CNNa network that has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism. In a recent Oval Office tirade, Trump spoke as if the takeover was already assured, suggesting that CNN would soon stop asking him uncomfortable questions. “CNN’s a very corrupt organization, with a corrupt reporter standing right there” he said. “CNN does such false reporting. But now they have new ownership, so maybe they’ll straighten it out.”
Ellison has already appointed Bari Weissa conservative opinion journalist, to oversee CBS News. This appointment has led to significant changes, including a wave of firings at the iconic 60 Minutes program. Before his acquisition of CBS’s parent company, Paramount, was approved, the network announced that Stephen Colberta prominent late-night critic of Trump, would lose his show. Acquiring Warner Bros would also give Ellison control over HBOhome to another Trump critic, John Oliver.
Political Fundraising and Climate Justice
Meanwhile, in the political arena, Bridget Brinka candidate for the Democratic nomination in a swing congressional district in Michiganis set to hold a fundraiser in Washington, DC. The event, hosted by Yuri Kima senior director at ExxonMobilhighlights the complex intersections of politics, energy, and climate justice.
Brink, a former ambassador to Ukraineis running against Will Lawrenceco-founder of the youth-led climate justice organization Sunrise Movement. Lawrence is a vocal advocate for a nationwide datacenter moratorium, introduced by his supporter Bernie Sanders. He believes the unfettered expansion of gas to power artificial intelligence is “a form of climate denial.” Brink, on the other hand, advocates for local communities to hold decision-making power on building datacenters, emphasizing transparency and accountability.
The Kennedy Center Controversy
In another significant development, workers are preparing to remove Donald Trump‘s name from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. A Federal judge denied a last-minute request from Trump’s hand-picked board to pause the ruling that ordered the removal by the end of the day. The judge ruled that only Congress could institute a change to the Kennedy Center’s name, ordering references to Trump to be removed within 14 days.
The board’s vote to keep Trump’s name on the building marked a shift from a previous memo that instructed staff to use the name “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” or “Kennedy Center.” The Kennedy Center’s website has already dropped Trump’s name in compliance with the ruling. As workers erect scaffolding around the name, a crowd has gathered to watch the lettering get taken down, intermittently cheering the progress.
