Iowa and Montana Seek Supreme Court Block of Democratic Antitrust Challenge to Paramount-Warner Deal
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a multistate antitrust suit that aims to stop Paramount’s purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
On August 25, Iowa AG Brenna Bird and Montana AG Austin Knudsen submitted a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court asking for permission to file a Bill of Complaint that would block a Democratic-led antitrust action targeting Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The petition names California and the other eleven states involved in the original suit as defendants, asserting that the Supreme Court is the sole venue for a controversy between states.
The attorneys general contend that the lawsuit harms their economies, employees of the merging companies, and consumers nationwide, and that it conflicts with federal antitrust enforcement. Their motion also requests a fast-track schedule, setting a response deadline of September 15, 2026, and an October 9 conference. The request will test the Court’s willingness to adjudicate interstate disputes of this nature.
Why it matters
The case could determine whether a handful of states can block a major media merger, affecting markets and consumer choices nationwide.
How this story developed
- Aug 24 California AG Halts Paramount Talks Over $111 Billion Warner Bros. Deal
- Aug 24 The mediation was cancelled after the AG alleged Paramount leaked and mischaracterized prior settlement talks.
- Aug 25 Bonta said he could return to settlement negotiations if Paramount stops the alleged leaks.
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