Mark Ruffalo Urges Senate to Block $110 Billion Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery Merger

Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo urged U.S. lawmakers to block a proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on April 15, 2026.

The hearing, led by Senator Cory Booker, examined the potential risks of further consolidation in the media industry. Ruffalo’s testimony followed an open letter signed by more than 2,000 film and television professionals, including Joaquin Phoenix, Jane Fonda, and J.J. Abrams, opposing the deal.

Ruffalo warned lawmakers not to rely on assurances from corporate leaders that the merger would protect jobs or improve creative output. He argued that past media mergers have often led to layoffs and reduced opportunities for workers. “Don’t trust empty promises from billionaires,” he said, pointing to what he described as a pattern of workforce cuts after large acquisitions.

He also raised concerns about the impact on workers in Hollywood. According to Ruffalo, reducing the number of major studios would weaken the bargaining power of actors, writers, and production crews. He added that some industry workers are reluctant to speak out publicly due to fear of professional consequences.

Another key issue discussed at the hearing was the potential effect on journalism. Critics of the merger noted that combining CBS News and CNN under one company could limit editorial independence and lead to less diverse news coverage.

Lawmakers and witnesses also discussed national security concerns. Reports that foreign investors, including Gulf sovereign wealth funds and possible Chinese interests, could be involved in financing the deal prompted questions about outside influence over U.S. media organizations.

The merger is approaching a critical stage. Warner Bros. Discovery has scheduled a shareholder vote on April 23 to decide whether to move forward. At the same time, regulators are reviewing the deal. The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have both opened investigations, with Bonta stating that the state will closely examine its potential economic impact.

Supporters of the merger, including Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, argue that combining the companies would make them more competitive against large streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, and Disney+.

Ruffalo concluded by calling the proposed merger an example of “crony capitalism” and warned that it could reduce competition and limit the diversity of voices in media if approved.