Mark Ruffalo and Elizabeth Warren Urge California AG Rob Bonta Not to Drop Paramount Antitrust Lawsuit

Mark Ruffalo and Senator Elizabeth Warren are turning up the heat on California Attorney General Rob Bonta, urging him not to abandon his antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The push comes amid reports that Bonta might settle the case, a move that would clear a major hurdle for the $111 billion deal.

Ruffalo, known for his role in Disney’s upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day, took to X to deliver a blunt message to Bonta. “Don’t you dare, [Rob Bonta], do not cave,” he wrote, according to Variety. The actor highlighted the groundswell of opposition from the creative community, noting that “5,670 filmmakers put their necks on the line for you to fight this merger. Another 75,000+ and counting have signed to tell you not to concede in just 3 weeks.” He added, “You work for the people — the very people who will be hurt if you let this lousy deal filled with empty promises go forward. Please sign to send a message to the AGs and Paramount. Reject the deal. The people don’t want it!”

Senator Warren echoed Ruffalo’s concerns, using her own social media platform to warn against settling. She linked the merger to broader fears about media consolidation under a potential second Trump administration. “As Trump tries to ban CNN from the White House, it would be a massive mistake to cave on the Paramount merger,” Warren claimed. “The last thing we need is another Trump-controlled media conglomerate abusing its power to stomp out competition. This is a dangerous merger.”

The lawsuit, filed by Bonta earlier this year, argues that the merger would stifle competition and harm consumers. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have pushed back, claiming the deal would create a stronger competitor in a crowded streaming market. Reports of a possible settlement have not been confirmed, but the mere possibility has sparked outrage among critics who see it as a capitulation to corporate interests.

Ruffalo’s post also encouraged followers to sign a petition urging attorneys general and Paramount to reject the deal. The petition, which has reportedly garnered over 75,000 signatures in three weeks, reflects growing grassroots opposition. The actor’s involvement adds a celebrity spotlight to the fight, reminiscent of earlier campaigns against media mega-mergers.

Warren’s statement taps into existing tensions over media access, referencing the Trump administration’s decision to exclude CNN, MS Now, and Politico from White House briefings. She argues that allowing Paramount to absorb Warner Bros. Discovery would create another powerful conglomerate potentially aligned with Trump, further eroding press freedom and competition. The senator has consistently opposed the merger, calling it a “massive mistake” for Bonta to drop the lawsuit.

Neither Bonta’s office nor Paramount has issued a public response to the celebrities’ comments. The California Attorney General has previously stated that his office is reviewing the case and will act in the best interest of consumers. A settlement would require court approval and could include conditions to address antitrust concerns.

The merger, valued at $111 billion, would combine Paramount’s assets—including CBS, MTV, and Paramount+—with Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio, which includes HBO, CNN, and the Warner Bros. film studio. Critics argue that the resulting entity would control a vast swath of news and entertainment, giving it undue influence over public discourse. Supporters counter that the scale is necessary to compete with tech giants like Netflix and Disney.

As the deadline for a decision approaches, pressure is mounting from both sides. Ruffalo and Warren’s interventions signal that the battle is far from over, and they are determined to keep the spotlight on Bonta. Whether the attorney general will heed their calls or choose to settle remains to be seen, but the outcome will have lasting implications for the media landscape.

Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/20/mark-ruffalo-senator-warren-freak-out-over-reports-of-a-paramount-antitrust-lawsuit-settlement-dont-you-dare-cave/