FCC Funding Application Notes Paramount Will Be 49.5% Foreign-Owned Post-Merger

I don't understand how decisions like these align with the supposed "America First" rhetoric coming from the same side. Specifically - this deal is being led by the son of the president of the USA who was elected on promises of "bringing jobs back to America" and prioritizing domestic investments.

Seems to me like they say one thing, do another, and all of us hold the bag at the end of it all.

They will also own CNN.

> Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund will have the largest share of the three Middle Eastern funds, a greater equity piece than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Together, the three Persian Gulf states are putting $24 billion into the new company.

And the American part will be owned by a pro-Israel billionaire, the largest private donor to the IDF.

FTA:

>The stat came to light in a request Monday by Paramount for approval of the foreign ownership stake by the FCC. The company said the arrangement, including a 38.5% holding shared by three Middle East investment funds, will give the combined company “greater access to capital.” The infusion of financial resources will enable Paramount to “compete more effectively in the provision of television broadcast services and in the broader video programming marketplace,” the filing said. Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund will have the largest share of the three Middle Eastern funds, a greater equity piece than Qatar or Abu Dhabi. Together, the three Persian Gulf states are putting $24 billion into the new company.

So, let me get this straight.

Here's a guy worth hundreds of billions through his founding of a company that supports surveilence capitalism, and is considered to be a leech on the government. Doesn't pay his taxes. He fires people by the thousands.

This guy has donated over $30 million dollars to a nuclear-armed foreign nation's military....One that has currently got our military engaged in a quagmire in Iran....and has attacked our ships in the past (USS Liberty).

He wants to buy one of the largest news organizations in the country, one that happens to be diametrically opposed to his political beliefs and donations.

Instead of financing it all himself, he's turning to Saudi Arabia, a nation that has sponsored terrorist attacks against us within the last 30 years, and has used its money and resources to spread a violent sect of Islam all around the world (Wahhabi).

This entity will control one of this country's most storied film studios (WB), and one of this country's major news networks...the only one on its "side" of the political spectrum.

I'm sorry...but what the fuck?

EDIT: this appeared to touch a nerve with some. Great! Ellison is an asshole and Oracle sucks. Ellison should pay his taxes. Israel has nukes and some of their interests aren't parallel to ours, and we shouldn't give them money to further their genocidal interests. The Saudis' money and actions don't support the US at times which has cost us money and lives - they should not own our media. Ellison should use his own money to buy shit if he wants it so badly.