Paramount Global CEO David Ellison returned to the White House last week for a private meeting with President Donald Trump. This occurred as Paramount is pursuing a hostile takeover of CNN and the remaining assets of Warner Bros. Discovery.

According to two informed sources, Ellison and Trump held two extensive discussions.

The meetings took place early last week, a critical timing point. On Wednesday, during an interview, Trump was asked about the bidding competition between Paramount and Netflix. He stated, "I am not involved in that."

This marks a significant shift from Trump's previous stance. He had earlier indicated he would intervene and explicitly expressed support for Paramount.

Regulatory bodies under the Trump administration are currently reviewing the proposed sale of Warner Bros. studios and HBO by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix. Paramount is attempting to thwart this deal by making a direct offer to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders to acquire all its assets, including CNN.

In an NBC interview, Trump seemed surprised by the attention from both Ellison and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who has also met with Trump in recent months. "I must say, I think I'm considered a very strong president," he said. "Both sides have contacted me. It's a two-sided game, but I've decided I should not be involved. The Department of Justice will handle it."

During the NBC interview, Trump also referenced Paramount's argument that Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. would create a monopoly: "There's an argument that one company is too big and shouldn't be allowed to complete the acquisition; the other company disagrees. They are fighting it out tooth and nail – someone will win."

Subsequently, a subpoena filing reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Netflix "engaged in anti-competitive practices."

Netflix responded, stating the company is "unaware of any investigation into our business beyond the standard merger review process."

A Paramount spokesperson declined to comment on the White House meeting. The White House press office also did not respond to requests for comment.

Ellison's Relationship with Trump

During Trump's second term, David Ellison has visited the White House on multiple occasions, as has his father, Oracle billionaire co-founder Larry Ellison, a close ally of Trump.

In December last year, media reports stated that David Ellison had "assured Trump administration officials that he would enact sweeping changes at CNN if he acquired Warner." Days after that report was published, Trump publicly stated that "CNN must be sold," calling the news organization's current leadership "a disgrace."

The Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal does not involve a change in ownership of CNN. Warner Bros. Discovery plans to split into two separate publicly traded companies later this year. Following the split, CNN and other channels would fall under Discovery Global, while HBO and Warner Bros. studios would be part of the assets acquired by Netflix.

Paramount claims that Netflix's deal is inferior to its publicly proposed offer of $30 per share to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. However, there has been little indication so far that Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders favor Paramount's proposal.

A core part of Paramount's argument focuses on whether the Trump administration and regulators would block the Netflix transaction.

Ellison has promoted his offer as having a "clear regulatory pathway" – a point many analysts link to his family's close relationship with the president.

Larry Ellison is a key investor in the new consortium, spearheaded by Trump, that is now operating the U.S. version of TikTok.

After the Ellison family gained control of Paramount last year, Trump praised both Larry and David Ellison: "They are friends of mine, and they are great supporters. They will make the right choices. They will make CBS reach its great potential."