Iowa AG Brenna Bird Supports Major Media Merger
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Iowa AG Brenna Bird Supports Major Media Merger
- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has actively supported the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that would bring CBS and CNN under the same ownership.
- Bird's involvement includes asking the U.S. Supreme Court in August 2026 to intervene against a 12-state antitrust lawsuit that aimed to block the merger.
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Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has taken a vocal stance in favor of the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. This significant deal, valued at approximately $111 billion, would consolidate major media entities, including CBS and CNN, under a single corporate umbrella.
Bird’s support for the merger became particularly evident in August 2026 when she requested the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed by 12 other states. These states had challenged the merger, arguing it would lead to excessive concentration of power in the media market. Bird, along with Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, characterized the lawsuit as “politicized” and contended that delaying the merger would negatively impact employees, consumers, and the economic interests of Iowa and Montana.
The merger has faced scrutiny due to concerns about media consolidation and potential editorial independence. Critics have highlighted the close ties of Paramount’s largest shareholder, Larry Ellison, and his son David Ellison (CEO of Paramount), to former President Donald Trump. Reports indicate that Larry Ellison has discussed potential programming and personnel changes at CNN with White House officials.
Despite the initial legal challenges, a settlement was reached in September 2026 between Paramount and the coalition of state attorneys general. This agreement allows the merger to proceed but includes a provision for the creation of a five-member “Editorial Independence Board” to oversee news standards and resolve disputes at CBS News and CNN. This board is intended to monitor adherence to ethical journalism and editorial independence from the combined company’s ownership and shareholders. However, some critics have expressed skepticism regarding the board’s effectiveness in safeguarding journalistic integrity.
Bird has a history of supporting actions aligned with former President Trump’s agenda, including leading multi-state coalitions in various lawsuits and initiatives since January 2025. Her office has stated that these efforts aim to defend or support Trump’s executive orders and protect him from what she describes as “unprecedented lawsuits” that interfere with his duties.