Poynter is reporting that a dozen Democratic-led states, including California and New York, have filed a lawsuit to block Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The suit alleges the merger would violate the U.S. Clayton Act, an antitrust law designed to prevent mergers that harm consumers by weakening competition and increasing costs. The New York Times called the lawsuit "the most serious legal challenge to date," while The Wall Street Journal's Joe Flint labeled it "the biggest obstacle" for the deal. The Washington Post's Scott Nover described it as the deal's "sharpest challenge," and The Los Angeles Times' Meg James characterized it as a "last-ditch effort." The proposed merger would combine major Hollywood studios, cable networks like CBS, CNN, TNT, TBS, Comedy Central, and streaming services Paramount+ and HBO Max. New York Attorney General Letitia James said the merger would "destroy that competition," creating a company with "unprecedented power and influence." California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated it would lead to "higher prices" and "fewer opportunities for important stories." CNN's Brian Stelter noted the political dimensions, with Democrats opposing a deal reportedly "blessed by President Trump and other Republicans." NPR's David Folkenflik highlighted Paramount CEO David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison as Trump allies, with Larry Ellison serving as a Trump adviser. Paramount called the lawsuit "a fundamentally flawed application of the antitrust laws" and said it would "vigorously defend the transaction." Legal experts cited by the Los Angeles Times suggest the states may face an uphill battle due to the changed media landscape with streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple.
Poynter is also reporting that President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social he will deliver a televised speech Thursday night at 9 p.m. Eastern. He did not specify the topic, but MS NOW’s Jake Traylor tweeted that the speech is slated to address "newly declassified intelligence reports" claiming foreign interference in the 2020 election. MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace noted there is no credible evidence of the 2020 election being rigged against Trump and that his own appointed officials, like Attorney General Bill Barr and FBI Director Chris Wray, have publicly debunked such claims. Mediaite's Jennifer Bowers Bahney raised questions about whether major networks will televise the speech, given Trump's past primetime addresses have been heavily partisan.
Additionally, Poynter is reporting that a CNN team, including Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond, was accosted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank while reporting on the one-year anniversary of Palestinian-American Saif Musallet's death. CNN said that within minutes of arriving at the site, four settlers blocked their vehicle with their car, wielding wooden and metal rods, stones, and a knife. The incident was captured on video. CNN reported that the Israeli military initially refused to act against the settlers, but a different battalion commander later arrived, detaining the settlers until police arrested four suspects and seized weapons. Israeli Police stated they "view any manifestation of violence or causing damage to property very seriously, especially when it concerns media personnel."
Finally, Poynter is reporting that sports radio and TV host Dan Patrick criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for backing out of a scheduled interview on his show. Patrick said Engelbert agreed to appear but then canceled, citing her PR staff as the reason. Patrick expressed irritation, stating that Engelbert, as commissioner, should be accountable and that the PR department works for her. Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy tweeted that Engelbert's action was an "absolute coward move" and another example of the WNBA being the "worst run league in the world."