In a move blending Washington insider savvy with Hollywood dealmaking, Makan Delrahim, the DOJ antitrust chief during Trump’s first term, is poised to assume a senior legal role at Paramount as the media giant eyes aggressive expansion post-Skydance merger. This potential hire, whispered in boardrooms and confirmed by insiders, signals Paramount’s bet on regulatory expertise amid media merger frenzy, where antitrust scrutiny could make or break blockbuster bids like a Warner Bros. Discovery play.
As Paramount legal role Trump ties fuel speculation, U.S. viewers and investors brace for a landscape where politics and popcorn collide, potentially reshaping your streaming subscriptions and entertainment options.
Delrahim’s DOJ Legacy: Trump’s Deregulation Enforcer
Makan Delrahim, 52, led the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division from 2017 to 2021, championing a pro-business agenda under President Trump. He blocked high-profile mergers like AT&T-Time Warner in 2018, citing monopoly risks, but greenlit others, including the $63 billion Bayer-Monsanto deal. His tenure emphasized vertical merger scrutiny while easing horizontal ones, earning praise from conservatives for fostering innovation.
Post-DOJ, Delrahim joined Latham & Watkins as a Los Angeles-based partner in 2022, advising on transactions for blue-chip clients like Apollo Global Management, KKR, and Endeavor. Notably, he guided Skydance Media through its $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global, finalized in August 2025 after regulatory hurdles.
Delrahim’s track record positions him perfectly for Paramount’s ambitions. “His experience at the intersection of law, policy, and innovation will be invaluable,” said a source close to the talks.
From Bush to Trump: A Career in High-Stakes Regulation
Delrahim’s roots trace to the George W. Bush administration, where he advised on antitrust matters as deputy assistant attorney general. A Yale Law graduate and Iranian-American, he clerked for Judge Laurence Silberman and built a reputation for bipartisan appeal, though his Trump-era moves drew Democratic fire for perceived leniency on Big Tech.
At Latham, Delrahim handled government investigations and crisis litigation for clients like Caesars Entertainment and FanDuel, honing skills in cross-sector navigation. His Paramount involvement dates to the Skydance deal, where he navigated FTC reviews without major snags.
The Paramount Pivot: Post-Merger Power Plays
Paramount Skydance Corporation, trading as Nasdaq: PSKY, emerged from the August 2025 merger blending CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount+ with Skydance’s production muscle. The combined entity, chaired by David Ellison, now targets growth amid streaming losses and cord-cutting woes.
Delrahim’s prospective role as Chief Legal Officer—effective October 6, 2025—would oversee legal, regulatory, compliance, and public policy, including government relations. Stephanie Kyoko McKinnon, current general counsel and acting CLO, would report to him, ensuring continuity.
Insiders say the hire accelerates Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery bid prep, valued at $20 billion-plus, where Delrahim’s antitrust playbook could sway approvals. “We’re building for scale,” Ellison stated, hinting at Delrahim’s “strategic mindset.”
Expert Buzz and Reactions: Cheers for Expertise, Whispers of Influence
Antitrust scholars applaud the fit. “Delrahim’s Trump-era navigation makes him a merger maestro for Paramount’s ambitions,” says William Kovacic, former FTC chair. Variety’s Cynthia Littleton noted, “This signals a friendlier regulatory bet, especially with Trump’s 2028 shadow.”
Public sentiment splits. On X, #ParamountCLO trended with 4,500 posts: Conservatives hailed “pro-growth muscle” (@MediaInsiderDC: 2K likes), while progressives flagged “revolving door risks” (@AntitrustWatch: “Trump ghost in Hollywood?”). Democratic Sens. Frank Pallone and Jamie Raskin queried Paramount on Trump ties, denied by the company.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday on Warner talks, amplifying the hire’s timing.
Impacts on Everyday Americans: From Streaming Prices to Job Security
This DOJ antitrust chief‘s senior legal role at Paramount ripples beyond executives. Politically, it spotlights media consolidation, where antitrust scrutiny could limit choices—fewer networks mean higher Paramount+ fees, hitting 60 million U.S. subscribers.
Economically, smoother mergers stabilize 100,000+ jobs in L.A. and New York, bolstering the $700 billion entertainment sector. Lifestyle-wise, expect more AI-personalized content, but watch for bias in CBS News amid Trump connections.
Tech users benefit from Delrahim’s innovation focus, potentially accelerating VR productions. Sports fans? Paramount’s NFL deals could expand via consolidated rights.
User intent centers on merger forecasts and content shifts; Paramount manages via AI-tracked viewer data, geo-targeting promos in battleground states for max engagement.
Forward Momentum: A Merger-Ready Media Maverick
As Paramount gears up, Delrahim’s onboarding October 6 could fast-track Warner pursuits, with FTC eyes on vertical ties.
In summary, Makan Delrahim’s shift from Trump’s DOJ antitrust chief to senior legal role at Paramount fortifies the studio for media merger battles, blending regulatory prowess with entertainment vision. For U.S. audiences, it promises dynamic content but invites scrutiny on power concentration—charting a bold, if contentious, path ahead in Hollywood’s evolving saga.
By Sam Michael
September 27, 2025
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DOJ antitrust chief, Trump first term, Makan Delrahim Paramount, senior legal role Paramount, media merger, antitrust scrutiny, Paramount Skydance, Trump DOJ ties, Hollywood regulation, streaming industry news