Democrats Raise National Security Concerns Over Paramount’s WBD Acquisition

Concerns regarding national security have emerged in the wake of Paramount Skydance’s acquisition attempt of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). U.S. Representatives Sam Liccardo and Ayanna Pressley recently articulated their apprehensions in a letter directed to WBD’s CEO David Zaslav.

Lawmakers Express National Security Concerns

The two Democratic lawmakers expressed that the potential takeover by Paramount, backed by substantial foreign funding, could shift significant influence over an important American media company to foreign investors. This acquisition could involve stakeholders such as the sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

Foreign Investor Background

• The Saudi Public Investment Fund is led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Previous reports have linked Prince Salman to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• The acquisition bid is also backed by Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, former President Trump’s son-in-law.

Liccardo and Pressley underscored that U.S. intelligence agencies have indicated that Prince Salman’s involvement in severe human rights violations raises immediate concerns about foreign influence in U.S. media.

Implications of Foreign Investment

The lawmakers highlighted that the merger poses risks not just to operational control but to sensitive data privacy as well. Warner Bros. Discovery manages millions of Americans’ private financial and personal information. Liccardo stated that risky foreign investor access to this data must be scrutinized efficiently.

Potential Regulatory Actions

Liccardo and Pressley warned that any agreements involving foreign financing should trigger a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). They noted that a deal of this magnitude deserves thorough investigation due to its implications on national security.

• The letter demands that WBD notify CFIUS if negotiations with Paramount proceed.
• Failure to report could expose the company to regulatory and reputational harm.

Context of Paramount’s Bid

The acquisition approach by Paramount is part of a broader landscape where significant mergers and acquisitions shape the entertainment industry. Recently, major players like Netflix have also attempted multi-billion dollar deals—highlighting ongoing competitive pressures. Paramount’s offer values WBD at approximately $108.4 billion.

Future Outlook

Liccardo and Pressley are not only concerned about the current implications but also about how future governance could be influenced under a Democratic administration. They insist that shareholders deserve complete transparency regarding the risks tied to foreign investments.

In closing, the letter requested a response from Zaslav by December 22, 2025, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding both national interests and the integrity of Warner Bros. Discovery amidst these complex financial dealings.