Shari’s Paramount Endgame & Trump's Hollywood Handlers
May 1, 2025
22:26
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Quick takeaways
Trump's lawsuit against CBS illustrates the tension between media integrity and corporate merger negotiations amid a complex legal landscape.
The appointments of Stallone, Gibson, and Voight as Hollywood ambassadors highlight attempts to address California's entertainment industry's economic challenges.
Deep dives
Trump's Legal Battle with CBS News
Donald Trump's ongoing lawsuit against CBS News and 60 Minutes centers around claims of election interference relating to a fabricated interview with Kamala Harris. The mediation process is complicated by Trump’s history of contentious rhetoric towards the network, potentially influencing the outcome of negotiations. There's speculation about whether Trump might demand concessions from CBS, such as ensuring favorable coverage, before agreeing to any settlement. This situation highlights the intricate relationship between media integrity and corporate mergers, especially amidst the backdrop of the potentially $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance.
The Paramount-Skydance Merger Controversy
The merger negotiation between Paramount and Skydance is fraught with complications, particularly as regulatory approvals from the FCC remain stalled. The leadership changes within CBS News, arising from pressure over editorial independence, further complicate matters as Sherry Redstone aims to finalize the merger while preserving the legacy of CBS's journalistic standards. There are concerns about how a settlement with Trump could affect the perceived integrity of CBS News, with shareholders potentially holding Redstone accountable for any damages incurred during negotiations. The interconnectedness of Trump's lawsuit and the merger raises questions about how corporate interests may influence media ethics.
Trump’s Hollywood Ambassadors' Proposal
Trump's appointments of Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight as special ambassadors to Hollywood seem to reflect his nostalgic connections to 1980s celebrity culture. Currently, John Voight and his manager are working on a set of proposals aimed at revitalizing film and television production in Los Angeles, suggesting possible tax and infrastructure incentives. Despite skepticism regarding their effectiveness, these proposals illustrate a broader challenge facing the industry as it struggles with incentives that draw production away from California. Though the ambassadorships might seem superficial, they indicate an attempt to engage with Hollywood on issues impacting the state’s entertainment economy.
Kim Masters joins Peter to unpack the latest twists in the ongoing Paramount-Skydance saga, from Shari Redstone’s settlement calculus to Brendan Carr’s F.C.C shenanigans, and what Donald Trump might be angling for in his multibillion-dollar lawsuit against CBS. Then Kim discusses Trump's “special ambassadors to Hollywood”: Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, and Jon Voight.
