California AG Faces Criticism Over Netflix-Linked Donations in Lawsuit Against Paramount
California Attorney General Rob Bonta received demands for an investigation on Friday. The call came from Republican challenger Michael Gates and the California GOP concerning potential political funding linked to Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings’ family. The concern is over its influence on the 12-state lawsuit Bonta filed in federal court to block Paramount’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Gates, a California attorney general candidate, argued for an investigation, highlighting a financial connection. He remarked, “Rob Bonta has turned his taxpayer-funded office into a favor factory for his political bosses and donors. He’s pursuing politically-motivated litigation against a competitor for a company that’s bankrolled his PAC.”
David Ellison recently spoke up about the merger conflict, voicing skepticism from CNN insiders.
Bonta’s actions have been labeled as potential corruption by Gates, reflecting a pattern that raises doubts about Bonta’s capacity as the state’s leading law enforcement officer.
Campaign-finance data reviewed by Fox News Digital showed Hastings’ wife, Patty Quillin, donated $1 million to Smart Justice California Action Fund on March 16, 2022. Later, Smart Justice contributed $150,000 on May 4, 2022, to Communities for Justice Supporting Rob Bonta for Attorney General 2022.
California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin expressed skepticism about Bonta’s motives. Rankin stated, “This smells like Sacramento at its worst. Rob Bonta takes Netflix money, then turns around and uses his office to kneecap a Netflix rival. With federal investigations and arrests mounting in California’s Democrat rule, is this about consumer protection or another political favor?”
Los Angeles attorney Elizabeth Barcohana, a California GOP delegate, pointed out on social media that Bonta’s lawsuit might benefit Netflix’s dominance.
CA AG @AGRobBonta’s lawsuit to block the Paramount-WB merger is a corrupt political favor to Netflix to protect its streaming monopoly,” Barcohana stated.
Bonta’s press office dismissed the claims. According to the office, the lawsuit is based on antitrust analysis focused on competition and consumer choice.
“The lawsuit against Paramount emerged from clear antitrust analysis, based on the facts and the law,” a press release noted. “In February 2026, our office announced an investigation into Warner Bros.’ potential sale, whether to Netflix or Paramount. Following our investigation, we concluded a lawsuit was necessary to protect competition and consumer choice.
Bonta’s complaint alleged the merged company would command around 27% of wide-release theatrical film distribution and basic-cable channel licensing.
The Justice Department, however, reached a different conclusion. After an eight-month probe of over 2 million documents, federal antitrust officials found the transaction likely wouldn’t harm competition and might offer a stronger streaming alternative to Netflix, Amazon, and Disney.
Britain’s competition regulator cleared the acquisition, leaving Bonta’s lawsuit as the main regulatory barrier. Paramount agreed to delay the closing until five days after a ruling, with a trial set for March.
Fox News Digital contacted Netflix, Hastings, and Assemblymember Mia Bonta for comment, but received no immediate response.
CJ Womack, an associate editor at Fox News Digital, focuses on the intersection of journalism, politics, and culture. CJ holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Journalism from Long Beach State University. Reach CJ at [email protected] or on Twitter for tips.