Paramount Pictures’ official presence on X — the platform previously known as Twitter — briefly fell victim to an apparent hack on Tuesday, adding an unexpected twist to an already chaotic period for the entertainment giant. For a short window, the account’s bio carried a provocative message reading, “Proud arm of the fascist regime,” a stark departure from its standard studio branding. The account, which commands nearly 3.5 million followers, restored its original description shortly after the issue surfaced.
The studio did not immediately respond to inquiries about the incident, though the timing of the breach raised eyebrows across both Hollywood and political circles. It arrived at a moment when Paramount is entangled in a high-stakes struggle over its future leadership, its competitors’ ambitions, and a broader media landscape undergoing seismic shifts.
Breach Comes Amid Skydance’s Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
The hack unfolded only a day after David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance launched a direct-to-shareholders hostile takeover attempt targeting Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a dramatic escalation of what has become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched corporate showdowns. Ellison’s move bypassed WBD’s leadership entirely, appealing straight to investors in an attempt to seize control of the company.
This takeover effort came just three days after another bombshell: Netflix and WBD announced a sweeping agreement under which the streaming giant would purchase WBD’s storied studios, HBO and HBO Max, as well as the company’s gaming division. The proposed sale, if finalized, would represent one of the most significant power reconfigurations in modern entertainment history, positioning Netflix as a dominant force not only in streaming but in traditional studio production.
With Paramount now pursuing WBD from another angle, the hack added yet another layer of unpredictability to an already turbulent moment.
Ellison Family’s Political Proximity in the Spotlight
The resurfacing of David Ellison in takeover headlines has also renewed public attention on his family’s political relationships. Both Ellison and his father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, are well known for their longstanding rapport with President Donald Trump. During an October exchange with reporters on Air Force One, Trump described the Ellisons as “big supporters of mine.”
After Skydance successfully acquired Paramount Global on August 7, Trump offered praise for David Ellison’s leadership, telling reporters he believed Ellison would “do a great job” steering the merged entity. Those comments reinforced perceptions of close ties between the Ellisons and the White House — a dynamic only heightened by more recent decisions involving prominent media properties.
Acquisition of The Free Press Raises New Questions
One such decision came in October, when David Ellison finalized a deal reportedly worth around $150 million to acquire The Free Press, the independent media outlet founded by journalist Bari Weiss. As part of the agreement, Weiss was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, one of the country’s most established broadcast journalism brands now operating under the wider Paramount umbrella.
The move sparked speculation among media analysts who suggested that positioning Weiss at the top of CBS News could be aimed at broadening the network’s appeal among conservative audiences, including those aligned with the MAGA movement. The appointment also quickly generated attention due to Weiss’ upcoming televised debut: she is scheduled to moderate a one-hour CBS News special alongside Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA and the widow of the group’s late founder Charlie Kirk. Turning Point USA remains one of the most influential conservative activist organizations in the United States.
Trump Turns on the Ellisons Over “60 Minutes” Segment
Even as the Ellisons have been publicly associated with Trump in recent years, that relationship experienced a jolt this week. A “60 Minutes” segment featuring Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — once a vocal Trump ally who has since broken with him on multiple issues — sparked the president’s frustration.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump criticized Paramount’s new ownership for allowing the segment to air, saying the company under the Ellisons was “no better than the old ownership.” He further complained that since the Ellisons completed their acquisition, “60 Minutes has actually gotten WORSE!”
The shift in tone highlighted how media coverage, particularly of political allies and adversaries, can abruptly reshape the relationship between media owners and public officials.
Trump Cautious on Paramount Skydance’s Rival Bid
During a White House briefing on Monday, Trump was asked whether he supported Paramount Skydance’s competing offer for Warner Bros. Discovery. The president declined to take a firm stance, citing the need for more information about the market implications of each proposal.
“I don’t know enough about it,” Trump told reporters. “I know the companies very well. I know what they are doing. But I have to see.” He emphasized that the impact of the deals on market share — particularly regarding Netflix and Paramount Skydance — would be central to any opinion he formed.
He added that none of the companies’ owners were “particularly great friends” of his, noting that he intended to do “what’s right” based on the broader implications.
