Paramount Skydance is considering leaving California, the company’s top lawyer said Tuesday. He warned that state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit seeking to block the company’s purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery is creating a “devastating” delay.
The Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim said they are committed to California, but at some point, they owe a duty to shareholders
He said, “You have to take a look at the business environment and look to see what’s best for not only the community and the business. And ultimately, you know, go to the place where you’re wanted.”
It is likely that California is trying to protect CNN with the lawsuit. If they keep it up, Paramount will leave.
The lawsuit, brought by Bonta and 11 other Democratic state attorneys general in July, is scheduled to go to trial in March. Starting in October, however, Paramount will have to pay roughly $7 million for each day the deal remains incomplete. If the transaction does not close by June 1, Paramount could owe Warner Bros. a $7 billion termination fee.
“This delay is just harming jobs … and also the future of this industry,” said Delrahim. “This merger is actually going to be good — not only for California — it’ll be good for America.”
He said, “We are very eager to close this deal — it should be closed this week … Options have been on the table. I will tell you precisely when: since May 19.”
CNN doesn’t want Bari Weiss as their boss. She wants to bring it back to center, and they are radical left.
Governor Gavin Newsom is now supporting communism because, after benefiting greatly from capitalism, he says it doesn’t work. At least Ronnie Reagan didn’t have to live to see this.
Gavin Newsom: “Capitalism as we know it is not going to work.”
Funny, because capitalism seems to be working VERY well for Gavin:
$4M home.
$9M home.
A winery.
Kids in private schools.
Millionaire lifestyle.But sure, let’s take a lecture on the minimum wage from a guy who… pic.twitter.com/OuCOtnXu7O
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) August 11, 2026
Twelve states are against the merger. All twelve have Democrat attorneys general: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington.
The states trying to block the deal “asked Warner Bros. and Paramount not to close the merger until after the judicial process concludes, and if they do not agree, the coalition will be filing [a motion for] a temporary restraining order,” Bonta’s announcement of the lawsuit said.
The editorial board at the California Post asked if Bonta is willing to blow up Hollywood? Paramount is one of the last legacy studios that has a physical headquarters in Hollywood proper. If that studio flees, and its iconic real estate is sold, what happens to Hollywood’s identity? To its vitality? It is nothing without Hollywood.
It is hard to know how serious Paramount – Daniel Ellison – is since there isn’t much else he can use to threaten them but his lawyer presented extensive details and a date of departure.
Bonta and his Democrat radicals probably won’t stop.