California AG says court order refutes anti‑Trump claims
Originally published Jul 21, 2026
By Alyssa Ray · TheWrap
AI-generated summary based on TheWrap · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jul 21, 2026
Key points
- Judge Martínez‑Olguín issued a two‑week TRO against the $110 billion merger.
- Twelve states argue the deal would give excessive market power over theaters.
- Bonta says the ruling disproves claims the lawsuit is politically driven.
Attorney General Rob Bonta responded to a federal judge's temporary restraining order that paused the Paramount‑Warner Bros. merger, saying the decision disproves accusations that the states' antitrust lawsuit is politically motivated against former President Trump. The order, granted at the request of twelve state attorneys general, cites compelling evidence that the combined company would dominate the wide‑release theatrical distribution market.
Bonta emphasized that political grievances have no place in court and noted that critics had framed the suit as “anti‑Trump” and “anti‑Ellison.” A Paramount spokesperson has not commented.
Read the original story: TheWrap — by Alyssa Ray