Democratic Senators Urge Full FCC Vote On Paramount-Skydance Merger Post-Trump Settlement

Democratic Senators Edward Markey and Ben Ray Luján have strongly urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a full Commission vote on the proposed merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. Their calls come in the wake of a $16 million settlement between Paramount, the parent company of CBS, and President Donald Trump, who had filed a lawsuit against CBS over its coverage of a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The senators argue that this settlement raises serious concerns about the editorial independence of CBS News and the implications for media freedom. They emphasize the uniqueness of the situation, with the sitting president actively litigating against a news organization whose parent company is seeking FCC approval for a major media merger. The senators have addressed their concerns in letters to FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, urging transparency and a thorough review process. Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez has also supported holding a full vote on the merger to ensure proper scrutiny given the circumstances.