US President Donald Trump claims that Larry and David Ellison, co-owners of Paramount Pictures, promised him millions in free ads to secure their deal to acquire the company. However, a new report from The New York Times contradicts this claim.
According to the Times, an attorney for Skydance, the studio owned by Ellison’s family, previously denied any side deal with Trump. A Trump representative continues to insist that there was an unwritten understanding between Trump and the owners of Skydance.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has refused to comment on the matter directly. Before the Ellisons’ acquisition of Paramount, executives stated they had no knowledge of any promises or commitments made to Trump.
It’s unclear why Ellison is hesitant to address the issue. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) signed off on the acquisition shortly after a $16 million payment from Shari Redstone, the previous owner of Paramount, which resolved a lawsuit Trump filed against the company over the 2024 election.
For now, only Trump’s claim that he will receive an additional $20 million in free ads stands. The lack of clarity surrounding this deal raises questions about transparency and potential conflicts of interest between business leaders and politicians.
The question remains: did Larry and David Ellison promise Trump millions in free ads to secure their Paramount deal? An answer is needed, and soon.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-free-ads-from-paramount-skydance-deal-2025-8