A Proposed Media Empire
Robert Reich argues that President Donald Trump could gain an extraordinary ability to suppress criticism through a media empire controlled by his ally Larry Ellison and Ellison’s son, David. The immediate dispute centers on their proposed $111 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by 11 other state attorneys general and the Writers Guild of America, has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the acquisition on antitrust grounds.
Through Paramount, the Ellisons already control CBS and CBS News. Acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery would add CNN, Comedy Central, and HBO, including programs hosted by Jon Stewart and John Oliver. In addition, an investor group led by Ellison’s Oracle holds 80.1 percent of TikTok’s U.S. operations. Reich contends that combining these outlets would give the family influence over a large share of the news, commentary, and entertainment that Americans receive.
Pressure on News and Comedy
Reich presents CBS as a warning about what could happen elsewhere. After the Ellisons took control, Stephen Colbert’s contract was not renewed, while Scott Pelley and senior producers were dismissed. A departing producer said that ideological expectations had encouraged self-censorship. Reich treats these changes as evidence that ownership decisions can weaken programs and journalists that challenge the president.
Trump has also repeatedly attacked CNN, calling its reporting biased and dishonest and demanding that the network be sold as part of the Warner Bros. Discovery transaction. The Wall Street Journal reported that David Ellison promised sweeping changes at CNN, while people cited by The Guardian said a White House official discussed possible changes that included removing anchors Erin Burnett and Brianna Keilar. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth likewise criticized a CNN report and said the sooner David Ellison took over, the better.
The Antitrust Fight and Its Stakes
California officials and Paramount lawyers are now discussing a possible settlement. According to Reich, David Ellison has threatened to begin moving Paramount operations out of California in October if the lawsuit is not resolved. State officials and labor groups have described that pressure as a threat to Hollywood jobs and as an attempt to force California to abandon its legal challenge.
Ultimately, Reich warns that protecting entertainment jobs would not be enough if a settlement allowed the proposed consolidation to proceed without safeguarding editorial independence. His central concern is the public’s right to know: an arrangement that expands the Ellisons’ control while helping Trump silence critical reporting and political comedy would, in his view, create a media monopoly with dangerous consequences for the country.
Reference
Reich, R. (2026, 24 agosto). How Trump Plans To Silence CNN, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver (the Same Way He Silenced CBS News). Robert Reich. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-trump-ellison-media-monopoly?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=59ocs7