# The DOJ wants 12 states to bet $1.9 billion

> Washington just put its thumb on the scale in the fight over Paramount's Warner Bros. deal.
- Title: The DOJ wants 12 states to bet $1.9 billion · Variety
- Summary: Washington just put its thumb on the scale in the fight over Paramount's Warner Bros. deal. A bond request turns an antitrust lawsuit into a financial dare…
- Keywords: paramount, antitrust, warner bros, doj, mergers, entertainment, culture, wants, states, bet, billion, Variety
- Source: Variety — https://variety.com/2026/film/news/doj-paramount-warner-bros-bond-1236863479
- Author: Gene Maddaus
- Published: 2026-09-15T21:52:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paramount, antitrust, warner bros, doj, mergers, entertainment, culture
## Washington picks a side
On Tuesday the Justice Department filed in support of Paramount, against the 12 states trying to stop its Warner Bros. merger.

> The Department of Justice sided with Paramount on Tuesday
## Twelve states, one lawsuit
A coalition of state attorneys general sued on antitrust grounds, and their case is what is holding the deal in limbo.
## The delay has a price
Paramount says the holdup costs it at least $1.88 billion, and it wants that number attached to the states' case.

> Paramount has argued that it stands to lose at least $1.88 billion
## Post a bond to keep fighting
The ask is simple and sharp: the states can keep blocking the merger, but only if they put up money first.

> a bond as the price of continuing to block the Warner Bros. merger
## Paid back if Paramount wins
The bond would cover Paramount's losses if it beats the states at trial, so the states would carry real financial risk for losing.
## One judge decides
Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin now rules on whether the states pay to keep their injunction, or hold the line for free.
## Key takeaway

A bond request turns an antitrust lawsuit into a financial dare: keep blocking the merger, but put $1.88 billion on the line if you lose.