Bulwark Takes Jared Kushner Joins Paramount’s Hostile Bid For Warner Bros.
9 snips
Dec 9, 2025 
Join Catherine Rampell, a sharp columnist and economist, alongside Sonny Bunch, a savvy cultural commentator, as they dive into the intense Warner Bros. bidding war featuring Jared Kushner's unexpected involvement. They dissect the political ties of Paramount and Trump's allies, the surprising strategies behind Netflix's bid, and the potential consequences for theaters and filmmaking. The discussion also touches on regulatory pressures, the stakes of media consolidation, and the implications for cultural creativity in Hollywood.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Netflix Was A Serious Bidder
- Netflix unexpectedly emerged as a serious buyer for Warner Bros, not just a price-driver in the bidding war.
- The studio sale matters because it's more than films: cable networks, parks, and CNN complicate any acquisition.
Politics Shapes Hollywood's Reaction
- Hollywood's reaction mixed because Paramount and Ellison's Trump ties raised political concerns.
- The presence of CNN and cable assets made Netflix's partial bid more attractive to Warner shareholders.
Hostile Bid Is Politically Charged
- The hostile bid from Paramount Skydance brought in Jared Kushner and other Trump-aligned figures, intensifying political stakes.
- Sovereign and foreign investors also play roles, making the takeover a geopolitically messy contest.