Ellison Dines with Trump & Xi, While His Paramount Deal Stalls

The White House hosted a state dinner on Thursday evening, inviting tech magnates to break bread with former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Among the guests was David Ellison, CEO of Warner Bros.

Discovery and son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The gathering occurred as Ellison seeks a federal judge’s approval for Paramount’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros.

Discovery.

CNN reporters were barred from attending the dinner, a restriction lifted briefly after a court order. Judge Timothy Kelly ordered CNN, MSN, and Politico to be re‑credentialed, but the outlets were not allowed on the night of the event.

The ban followed a lawsuit in which the administration removed the outlets from its credential list last week.

The dinner’s guest list combined tech leaders with established industrial titans. Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Sergey Brin, Jeff Yass, Jensen Huang, and Satya Nadella joined Ellison. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon, Dell’s Michael Dell, former Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos were also present.

Chinese officials and senior White House staff attended alongside Cabinet members, Trump family members, GOP leaders, and Supreme Court appointees.

Fox News personalities Jesse Watters, Laura Ingraham, and Bret Baier appeared with their spouses. The event drew a mix of political figures and media executives, reflecting the administration’s broad outreach. White House officials confirmed the presence of Chinese officials, but specific names were not disclosed.

## Background & Context

David Ellison has emerged as a key player in the entertainment industry's consolidation. He led Warner Bros. Discovery’s push for the Paramount deal, seeking judicial approval to overcome regulatory hurdles.

His involvement with Trump’s administration dates back to last year, when he lobbied for Paramount’s merger and later for WBD’s own strategic moves.

Ellison’s close ties to Trump have raised concerns among opponents of the Paramount–WBD merger. Critics argue that the former president’s influence could affect regulatory decisions, especially given his role in facilitating Trump’s 2024 campaign.

The presence of Ellison at a state dinner underscores the intersection of technology, politics, and media ownership.

The White House’s decision to invite tech leaders coincides with a broader trend of presidential administrations engaging with influential business figures. The event’s agenda included a three‑course meal and discussions about U.S.–China relations, reflecting Trump’s focus on trade and diplomatic engagement.

## What Happened

During the dinner, Ellison shared the table with Xi Jinping and Trump, surrounded by a cadre of tech CEOs. The gathering was reported to include high‑profile personalities from aerospace, banking, and retail sectors. Fox News hosts Jesse Watters, Laura Ingraham, and Bret Baier were also in attendance with their partners.

CNN’s exclusion was a point of contention. The outlets had been denied credentials after a lawsuit that led Judge Timothy Kelly to mandate re‑credentialing. Despite the court’s order, the White House ultimately barred CNN reporters from the event.

The decision followed previous conflicts between the administration and media outlets over access.

The dinner’s atmosphere was described as formal yet convivial, with guests engaging in conversations about technology, media ownership, and U.S.–China policy. Trump’s presence was noted alongside Xi’s, highlighting a symbolic convergence of American and Chinese leadership at a high‑profile diplomatic event.

## Analysis

Ellison’s participation signals the administration’s willingness to collaborate with media conglomerates seeking favorable regulatory treatment. By inviting tech leaders to a state dinner, the White House may be signaling support for their industry initiatives while simultaneously maintaining diplomatic ties with China.

The exclusion of CNN, along with other outlets, reflects ongoing tensions between the administration and media organizations. Judge Timothy Kelly’s order to re‑credential the outlets was not honored at the event, illustrating a disconnect between judicial mandates and executive action.

The gathering also underscores the blurred lines between technology, politics, and media ownership. With figures such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos present alongside Trump, the dinner highlighted a convergence of economic power and political influence that could shape future policy discussions.

The presence of Fox News hosts further emphasizes the administration’s alignment with conservative media. Their inclusion alongside traditional industry leaders may suggest an attempt to reinforce a particular narrative framework for the audience present.

## Looking Ahead

The Paramount–WBD merger remains pending before the federal judge. Ellison’s presence at the dinner could impact perceptions of his relationship with Trump, potentially influencing judicial considerations.

Meanwhile, the administration’s handling of media access continues to be a focal point for observers of press freedom and government transparency.

In the days following the dinner, attention will shift back to the merger’s regulatory review and any forthcoming statements from both Warner Bros. Discovery and the Department of Justice. The outcome of this high‑profile meeting may also inform future engagements between tech leaders and government officials.

The state dinner concluded with a traditional three‑course meal, leaving the guests to reflect on the unique convergence of political, technological, and diplomatic forces in Washington, D.C.