Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren used her appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to deliver a stark warning about corporate consolidation in the media industry, specifically calling out Skydance Media CEO David Ellison by name.
Halloween Costume Leads to Political Statement
The conversation began lightheartedly when Colbert thanked Warren for the honor of her golden retriever Bailey dressing as him for Halloween. However, the senator quickly turned the moment into a political statement about media ownership. Warren explained there was a specific reason behind the costume choice, connecting it to her concerns about corporate control over entertainment and information.
Bailey and I talked about this, and we don't think one corporation, or one man named David Ellison, should be able to buy up all the shows and buy up all the sports and buy up all the news, and decide who watches what and who pays what, Warren declared during the Friday night broadcast. I'm gonna stay in that fight.
The $8.4 Billion Paramount Deal
The context for Warren's comments stems from Skydance Media's acquisition of Paramount Global in August through an $8.4 billion merger that received Federal Communications Commission approval. The deal occurred after Colbert's show faced cancellation, which followed the host mocking Paramount Global for settling a $16 million lawsuit with former President Donald Trump while awaiting FCC approval for the Skydance merger under his administration.
Warren had previously characterized the timing of the lawsuit payout and subsequent regulatory approval as looking like bribery. President Trump publicly celebrated the impending end of The Late Show following the merger approval.
Expanding Antitrust Concerns
The situation continues to develop as Ellison's company prepares a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, which would include all of its cable networks and the world-renowned movie studio. This potential expansion prompted Warren and fellow Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to take formal action earlier this week.
The three senators penned a letter to Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, who specializes in antitrust issues, expressing concerns about the possible union. According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the lawmakers called for a thorough review of any potential deal, warning it would occur under a cloud of political favoritism and corruption.
In their communication, the senators emphasized that antitrust laws are necessary to protect the free market and economic security for working families, insisting that any prospective sale must be grounded in the law, not President Trump's political favoritism.
Colbert's Lighthearted Response
Following Warren's direct criticism of Ellison on his program, Colbert reacted with characteristic humor. Looking directly into the camera with a smile, the host stated, I have never met Mr. Ellison, and I'm sure he's a fine fella. He then turned back to Warren and jokingly added, You're going to get me sued.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between entertainment media and political commentary, particularly as media consolidation continues to reshape the industry landscape amid growing concerns about monopolistic practices and their impact on democratic discourse.
