SCOTUS orders 12 state attorneys general to respond to Paramount-WBD antitrust lawsuit objection

(KYMA) - The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has issued an order Wednesday for 12 state attorneys general to respond to an objection regarding their antitrust lawsuit against Paramount Skydance's proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

"Upon consideration of plaintiffs' motion for expedited consideration, it is hereby ordered the defendants are allowed until September 25, 2026, to file responses to the motion for leave to file a bill of complaint," SCOTUS said in their order.

The order comes after Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Montana Attorney Austin Knudsen asked SCOTUS to stop the antitrust lawsuit last month, claiming it's a "politicized enforcement action."

Back in July, 12 state attorneys general, including Arizona and California, and the Writers Guild of America sued to block the merger between Paramount and WBD.

As a result of the lawsuits, Paramount announced they were delaying the merger, with Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin setting a trial date for March of next year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and other countries approved the merger.

Last month, Paramount requested a $1.88 billion bond from the 12 states to cover their losses over the merger's delay, with Judge Martinez-Olguin setting a hearing on the request for September 24.

In addition, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount "to come to the table" and reach a settlement.

Last week, the Block the Merger Coalition held a protest outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles to thank the state attorneys general for "holding firm in their lawsuit" to block the proposed merger.

Earlier this week, Paramount reiterated their request for a $1.88 billion bond after the attorneys general filed a court document rejecting the bond request.