Shari Redstone Addresses Trump’s Paramount Side Deal: ‘I Truly Hope This Isn’t Accurate’

Shari Redstone has officially stepped away from her role amid a significant $8 billion deal transferring Paramount Global to David Ellison and his Skydance Media. As she reflects on this year-long process, Redstone is candid about what she learned along the way.

In a recent interview series with James Stewart from The New York Times, Redstone shared surprising revelations about the deal. She was especially taken aback by the intricate negotiations required to finalize the merger.

One major challenge was a lawsuit from former President Trump against CBS News related to an interview with Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes. Trump accused CBS of editing the interview misleadingly, which many news analysts dismissed as standard editing practices. This lawsuit became a crucial factor because Trump, while in office, had control over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which needed to approve the merger.

Redstone emphasized the need for a resolution, stating, “It’s in Paramount’s best interest to settle.” The settlement amount was ultimately set at $16 million, far less than figures that circulated early in the negotiation. Redstone expressed her disbelief at the final amount and admitted she didn’t understand how it was achieved.

Interestingly, Trump later suggested there might be a side deal involving Skydance broadcasting public service announcements on behalf of the White House. At a recent press conference, Ellison avoided commenting on this rumor, insisting he prefers to steer clear of political matters.

Redstone echoed his sentiment, wishing it wasn’t true, and the previous leadership at Paramount has remained largely silent since the settlement was announced.

This situation highlights the unique intersection of entertainment and politics, emphasizing how external factors can heavily influence corporate decisions. In 2023, a survey from the Pew Research Center indicated that 70% of media executives believed political pressures have increased in recent years, underscoring a broad concern about the impact of politics on business.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, Redstone’s experience serves as a reminder of the complex and often unpredictable nature of corporate dealings in today’s climate. You can read more about these developments in Stewart’s full article here.

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Shari Redstone