California Attorney General Rob Bonta cleared Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros. with a settlement whose every condition is unenforceable, handing the American film and TV industry to Trump's oligarch friends.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta signed a settlement clearing Paramount's takeover of Warner Bros. David Ellison's family already holds TikTok; after this, they hold most of American film and television.
Read the promises one by one
The deal says Warners will 'make 30 films' over the next two years. Former FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya looked at the actual wording: only 15 are films they must make themselves, the rest can be co-productions with other studios. They made 18 last year. Under this deal they have committed to making fewer movies than they make today.
Also: no sale of the Warner lot for five years, but they may move it. No squeezing theatre chains for three years. After that, anything goes. An 'editorial board' will watch over CNN and MSNBC so they are not turned into right-wing propaganda — and who picks the board? The Ellisons.
The clause that voids everything
A 'force majeure' clause normally covers war or wildfire. Here it also covers a strike or a recession. If the Hollywood unions walk out over this, the agreement dissolves. If the AI bubble bursts, it dissolves. It was waste paper when signed and waste paper when torn up.
Who let this through
Twelve state attorneys general signed it. Every one is a lawyer, every one has lawyers on staff. None of these defects could have surprised them. They simply bet you would not notice. The author's words: the teachers' pets of the Democratic Party once again sold out working people to be liked by the rich and powerful.
Why it matters
Antitrust enforcement is the one lever government still holds over capital, and here it was used as a prop in a signing ceremony. When enforcers pull their own teeth, the public's remaining option is to take to the streets — a price ordinary film and TV workers pay hardest.
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