BET Gutted, DEI Killed, Media Bought—Trump’s Playbook in Action

August 7, 2025

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently approved an $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media, following a suspicious $16 million settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview. Critics claim this merger represents Trump's growing control over media, as it requires Paramount to eliminate diversity initiatives, install political monitors for "bias," and fund $20 million in public service announcements for Trump-favored causes. Following the merger, BET has indefinitely suspended both the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards, which many in the Black community view as part of a systematic effort to silence Black voices in media.

Who is affected

Black media audiences and creators who follow BET programming like the Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards
Paramount Global and its subsidiaries (CBS and BET)
Media consumers across networks now under Trump's influence
Black communities whose representation in media is being threatened
Journalists and content creators facing new political oversight
Media companies pursuing mergers who may face similar requirements

What action is being taken

The FCC is approving the $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media
Paramount is paying a $16 million settlement to Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview
BET is indefinitely suspending the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards
Paramount/Skydance is implementing a political ombudsman to monitor for "bias" in content
DEI initiatives at Paramount are being dismantled as part of the merger agreement
Paramount is committing $20 million for PSAs dedicated to Trump's preferred causes
Trump administration is using federal regulatory power to reshape media ownership and content

Why it matters

The merger represents a potential template for future media deals requiring "political appeasement"
Black cultural programming and representation in media is being threatened
Media independence is being compromised through financial and regulatory pressure
Traditional checks on presidential power are being undermined
The merger coincides with broader efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives across institutions
Media companies may self-censor to avoid regulatory obstacles
Control of major networks gives Trump unprecedented influence over information and cultural content

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint