Two media companies receive approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) led by Trump to consolidate their operations.

Two media companies receive approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) led by Trump to consolidate their operations.

In a twist of corporate politics and political intrigue, an alleged secret deal between former President Donald Trump and Skydance Media has come to light, raising concerns and sparking investigations.

According to reports, Trump is said to have brokered a deal worth around $32 to $35 million with Skydance, primarily comprising advertising fees. The deal, if true, could potentially be linked to the pending merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global, a union that is awaiting approval from regulatory bodies such as the FCC.

Larry Ellison, a friend and ally of Trump, is implicated in facilitating this arrangement, as his son, David Ellison, runs Skydance. However, Trump has denied any connection between the deal and the regulatory approvals for the merger, asserting they are separate matters.

The potential secret deal has drawn the attention of U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden, who have launched investigations into Skydance's role. The senators are concerned about tens of millions of dollars in payments tied to Trump and the ongoing merger process under the Trump administration's regulatory purview.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has gone a step further, calling for an investigation into the Paramount-Skydance merger for potential criminal behaviour. The FCC commissioners, however, voted 2-1 along party lines to approve the $8 billion deal.

The news has caused a ripple of uncertainty among CBS News staffers, who are unsure about the future of the company as Skydance CEO David Ellison prepares to take control in the coming weeks. The merger has also been a topic of criticism on comedy shows like "South Park" and "The Daily Show," with Jon Stewart lambasting Paramount and linking the cancellation of shows like "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to Trump's pressure campaign against the media.

Commissioner Anna Gomez has expressed concerns about the Paramount payout and the FCC's approval, stating it could embolden the government to extract financial and ideological concessions in the future. Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert has been making jokes about the network's rationale on "The Late Show," while Tanya Simon's promotion to executive producer of "60 Minutes" is seen as a reassuring sign of stability amidst the uncertainty.

As the investigations continue, the future of Paramount Global and its relationship with Skydance Media remains uncertain, with many questioning the legitimacy and implications of the alleged side deal.

1. The alleged side deal between Trump and Skydance Media, reportedly worth $32 to $35 million, could have implications for the finance and business sectors, potentially impacting the pending merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global.
2. The ongoing investigations led by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden, among others, are focusing on tens of millions of dollars in payments tied to Trump and the Paramount-Skydance merger, raising questions about the legitimacy and possible criminal behavior in the financial transactions.

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