The Powers That Be: Daily Trump’s Antitrust Roulette
Dec 3, 2025
Eriq Gardner, a media and entertainment legal journalist, joins to discuss the current state of antitrust enforcement in the U.S. He explores the implications of a possible WBD-Paramount merger and how political biases, particularly against CNN, could influence regulatory decisions. Gardner raises concerns about the Trump administration's laissez-faire attitude towards business and examines potential federal preemption in AI regulations. This lively conversation unpacks the complexities of merger challenges and the roles various regulators play in the ever-shifting landscape.
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CNN Likely Safe Under Paramount-Skydance Deal
- A Paramount-Skydance buyout would likely preserve CNN's status quo within the combined company.
- Eriq Gardner says a purchase by Comcast or MSNBC-owner would create more uncertainty for CNN's future.
Politics Alone Won't Win Merger Lawsuits
- Political dislike of CNN would be a weak legal basis to block a merger without an economic theory of harm.
- Gardner notes challengers must show anti-competitive effects, not just presidential distaste.
Stopping Deals Requires Courtproof Antitrust Cases
- Federal agencies can't unilaterally stop deals forever; they must get an injunction from a judge to block a closing.
- Gardner warns state attorneys general and foreign regulators can still mount parallel challenges that matter.
