Rob Bonta took legal action to block a merger in Hollywood involving Netflix.
Posted by The John Phillips Show, Checked
- Sources
- 2 contradict3 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 60%
The John Phillips ShowOct 17, 2026
The core assertion holds: multiple sources report that California AG Rob Bonta led a 12-state lawsuit to block the Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, a Hollywood deal.
What was said
… Same thing with the merger in Hollywood. At what point in his political career was that ever a passion for him? The answer is, it wasn't. And then for him to take it up at the same time he's taking all kinds of money from Netflix, where he's acting as if he's an attorney for Netflix to try to block that deal, he is 100% pay to play, with the combination of suing Donald Trump every opportunity he has, because in a very partisan environment, in a Democratic state, that causes the Democrats to rally behind him and not focus on all of his misdeeds. …
The John Phillips Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. Netflix was not a party to the Paramount–WBD merger; it had a studio and streaming deal with Warner that was later abandoned when Netflix opted out of the bidding.[2][3]
Supports. Bonta announced and led a coalition of 12 states suing in federal court to block Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, reported by multiple outlets.[4][5][6]
Context. An opinion piece asserts the lawsuit benefits Netflix financially, but this is political commentary rather than documented fact about Netflix's role in the legal action.[7]
Context. The claimant's post says Bonta is acting as Netflix's attorney; the sources do not show Bonta acting on Netflix's behalf, so the claim's Netflix framing is not established.[1][8]
Sources
8 sources: 1 fact-checker, 1 tier 2, 6 not rated
- 1Paramount says California AG contradicted bond arguments in TV interviewsreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 2The Attorney General Of California Vs. Paramount (Part 1)forbes.com · tier 2 · cited for: contradicts
- 3States settle lawsuit over Paramount-Warner merger ...wbrz.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 4Bonta leads lawsuit to block Paramount-Warner Bros. mergerwivb.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5States sue to block Paramount's $111-billion Warner Bros. ...latimes.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6Rob Bonta Blasts Trump for Dropping the Ball on Paramount Deal: ‘It Would Be Better If They Just Did Nothing'ca.finance.yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7Bonta’s Paramount lawsuit isn’t reform — it’s a million-dollar favorwashingtonexaminer.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 8California AG, Paramount debate landmark merger in separate appearancessacbee.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Rob Bonta accepted campaign contributions from Netflix.Mixed
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta obtained a temporary restraining order in the lawsuit against the Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery merger.True
- California is leading a lawsuit to block the merger between Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery.True
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta walked away from a meeting regarding the Paramount merger last week.True
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed 100 lawsuits against the federal government.True