Mark Ruffalo Leads Call to Reject Paramount-warner Merger

WHO:

Variety - Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts issued a warning regarding the merger.

[Variety] - Mark Ruffalo, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and a coalition of 11 other state attorneys general.

[Deadline] - Mark Ruffalo, Rob Bonta, and Paramount executives.

[NY Post] - Mark Ruffalo and supporters from the Bay Area.

WHAT:

Variety - Warren stated that settling the lawsuit with Paramount would be a “massive mistake” and described the merger as “dangerous.”

[Variety] - Mark Ruffalo urged Rob Bonta not to settle the antitrust lawsuit against Paramount Skydance to prevent David Ellison from acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery.

[Deadline] - Ruffalo called for Bonta to reject the deal being negotiated with Paramount and suggested a protest outside Bonta’s office.

[NY Post] - Ruffalo claimed that he was hearing Bonta was “about to cave” regarding the merger deal.

WHERE:

[Deadline] - The protest is suggested to take place outside Rob Bonta’s office in Oakland, California.

WHEN:

[Deadline] - The meeting between the attorneys general and Paramount is scheduled for a weekend.

WHY:

Variety - Warren linked President Trump's recent banning of CNN from the White House to potential future consequences if the merger is allowed to proceed.

[Variety] - Ruffalo emphasized the importance of not caving to pressure, stating that “5,670 filmmakers put their necks on the line” for the cause.

HOW:

[Deadline] - Ruffalo is applying pressure through public statements and calls for protests.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 02:56 UTC)

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has issued a warning about the proposed merger involving Paramount, calling it a “massive mistake” and labeling the deal as “dangerous.” She expressed concerns that settling the lawsuit could lead to significant repercussions, linking it to President Trump's recent decision to ban CNN from the White House. Warren's remarks highlight the potential implications of this merger on media freedom and accountability.

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(UPDATED September 20, 2026 02:04 UTC)

Mark Ruffalo, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of 11 other state attorneys general, is urging Bonta not to settle the antitrust lawsuit against Paramount Skydance, which could allow David Ellison to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Ruffalo has called for a protest outside Bonta’s office in Oakland, California, as he claims to have heard that Bonta is “about to cave” regarding the merger deal being negotiated with Paramount. Emphasizing the stakes, Ruffalo stated that “5,670 filmmakers put their necks on the line” for this cause, as a meeting between the attorneys general and Paramount is set for an upcoming weekend.