**Sen. Adam Schiff Calls for Greater Protections for Content Creators Amid AI Rise, Voices Concerns Over Warner Bros. Discovery Bids and Trump’s Regulatory Role**
Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Thursday emphasized the need for stronger protections for content creators as artificial intelligence continues to influence the entertainment industry. At the same time, he expressed cautious optimism that a long-sought music bill could finally move forward in this Congress.
Schiff also shared serious concerns regarding the bids by Netflix and Paramount for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and President Donald Trump’s remarks about his involvement in approving or rejecting any such transactions.
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### Trump’s Comments on Warner Bros. Discovery Sale and CNN
On Wednesday, Trump stated that he would not approve any deal unless it included a sale of CNN, describing the news network’s content as “poison.” In an interview with *Deadline*, Schiff voiced worries about how a WBD sale might affect workers “at a time when it’s never been under greater stress, after the pandemic, after the strikes, and after the contraction of streaming services.”
He also highlighted concerns about First Amendment implications and media consolidation:
> “The president using the leverage of his office and regulatory power to approve or disapprove of mergers, to change content to something that he would view more favorably—that is a grave threat to the freedom of the press.”
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### Details on the Warner Bros. Discovery Bids
Netflix’s offer targets WBD’s film and TV studios, including HBO and HBO Max, with plans to spin off cable channels like CNN into a separate entity. Paramount recently launched a hostile bid for all of WBD, including CNN. Reports indicate that Paramount CEO David Ellison has spoken with Trump administration officials about making significant changes to CNN, a network long targeted by Trump.
Trump has also met with Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, intensifying the scrutiny around the deals.
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### Concerns Over Political Interference
Schiff stressed the impropriety of any political influence on media content or regulatory decisions:
> “To whatever degree, or even any degree in which the content of a news provider, whether it’s favorable or unfavorable to the president, is being discussed, it is wholly 100% improper. Any regulatory decision to favor one proposal over another to placate the president’s personal interests is anathema to the First Amendment.”
He warned that the situation would be subject to congressional oversight and accountability.
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### The Music Fairness Act Hearing and Support for Performer Rights
As the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary intellectual property subcommittee, Schiff recently participated in a hearing on the *Music Fairness Act*. The bill seeks to give performers the right to compensation when their songs are played on terrestrial radio, a “loophole” musicians have long aimed to close since performers are already paid for digital and satellite radio plays.
The legislation includes carveouts to limit royalties for smaller and college radio stations, recognizing the financial pressures on these broadcasters.
Schiff expressed optimism about the bill’s chances this time, citing industry evolution:
> “Many major radio stations are now also in the digital platform business, and with the convergence of technologies, it makes less and less sense to treat performers differently based on whether their work is broadcast or streamed.”
Notably, Gene Simmons testified in strong support of the bill, which has bipartisan backing.
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### Disney and OpenAI Deal Spotlights AI and Copyright Issues
On Thursday, Disney announced a landmark agreement with OpenAI for the use of its intellectual property, including classic characters and the *Star Wars* franchise. At the same time, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google over its use of Disney IP in AI models.
Schiff noted that such developments underscore the urgent need for congressional attention on copyright in the age of AI:
> “Copyright holders and creators whose works are used to train AI models must be compensated fairly. These companies have the resources and technology to track and pay for the use of intellectual property. Congress needs to get involved.”
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### President Trump’s Executive Order on AI Regulation
President Trump signed an executive order aiming to preempt state AI laws, some of which, like Tennessee’s law protecting performers’ likenesses and California’s chatbot guardrails, have been enacted amid stalled federal tech legislation.
Schiff commented on the order’s legality and political implications:
> “Congress has previously rejected total preemption of state AI laws on a bipartisan basis. Whether they will stand up to the president is uncertain. I suspect this executive order will face legal challenges and likely won’t survive.”
He also called for comprehensive AI regulation to protect children, privacy, and creators’ rights.
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### Schiff on Industry Responsibility and Political Influence
Regarding companies meeting with Trump to seek favor in regulatory decisions, Schiff said:
> “To the extent that content favorable or unfavorable to the president is influencing these discussions, it is entirely improper. Decisions made to placate personal interests undermine the First Amendment and threaten free press.”
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### Final Thoughts and Outlook
Schiff underscored the intertwined challenges of workforce impacts, media consolidation, and political interference in the entertainment industry’s current merger proposals.
With ongoing issues around AI, copyright, and media regulation, he affirmed that:
> “There will be oversight, and people need to understand that accountability is coming.”
Whether these matters will carry over into the next Congress remains to be seen, but Schiff indicated Democrats would likely pursue continued oversight if they regain control.
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*This interview highlights a critical moment in the intersection of technology, media, and politics, emphasizing the need to safeguard creators, workers, and press freedom as powerful market and political forces converge.*
https://deadline.com/2025/12/adam-schiff-trump-warner-bros-discovery-cnn-1236646359/