Republicans demand probe of Netflix-linked donations behind California AG's Paramount lawsuit

Republican attorney-general candidate Michael Gates and the California Republican Party have called for an investigation into whether political contributions tied to Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings’ family swayed California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s antitrust action against Paramount’s $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. Campaign-finance filings show Hastings’ wife, Patty Quillin, gave $1 million to the Smart Justice California Action Fund in March 2022, which later donated $150,000 to a pro-Bonta committee.

Gates argues the lawsuit is a “political favor” to Netflix, a rival of Paramount, and urges scrutiny of any communications or recusal. Bonta’s office rejected the claim, citing a February 2026 investigation that concluded a lawsuit was necessary to protect competition and consumers. The Justice Department’s eight-month review found the merger unlikely to harm competition, and Britain’s regulator approved it, leaving the state suit as the primary remaining hurdle.

A federal trial is set for March, with Paramount agreeing to delay closing until after a June 2027 ruling. Netflix, Hastings and Assemblymember Mia Bonta have not responded.