Senator Adam Schiff of California said he would push for congressional investigations into major media companies that reached legal settlements with President Donald Trump if Democrats regain control of Congress in 2026. He warned that any improper financial arrangements or attempts to influence coverage would face scrutiny, and said companies should expect accountability if wrongdoing is found.

Schiff also alleged that the Trump administration favored Paramount during its successful bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, raising concerns about the future editorial direction of Cable News Network under new ownership. Paramount chief executive David Ellison has pledged to preserve editorial independence, though critics fear shifts in programming priorities.

The comments follow high dollar settlements between Trump and both American Broadcasting Company News and Columbia Broadcasting System News. Each network resolved separate lawsuits brought by Trump, prompting criticism from some observers who questioned whether the agreements were tied to pending corporate mergers that later received federal regulatory approval.