Trump’s Authoritarian Agenda: Media Takeover, BET’s Dismantling, and the Whitewashing of America

August 7, 2025

President Trump is executing an agenda aligned with Project 2025, with recent FCC approval of Skydance Media's $8 billion acquisition of Paramount Global (parent company of CBS and BET) raising significant concerns. The merger occurred shortly after Paramount paid Trump a $16 million settlement over a "60 Minutes" interview, required eliminating diversity programs, installing a political monitor, and contributing $20 million to Trump-approved causes. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr explicitly stated that "Trump is fundamentally reshaping the media landscape," while BET has suspended major Black cultural awards shows indefinitely, prompting criticism that this represents systematic erasure of Black voices in media.

Who is affected

Black-owned and Black-centered media platforms
CBS and BET viewers and employees
Black artists, performers, and content creators associated with the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards
Broader Black community that relies on these platforms for representation
Media companies seeking mergers or acquisitions
General public consuming media content from Paramount properties

What action is being taken

The FCC is approving media mergers with conditions that align with Trump's agenda
BET is indefinitely suspending the BET Hip Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards
Paramount properties are undergoing "comprehensive reviews" to ensure "viewpoint diversity"
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being dismantled across media companies
Political ombudsmen are being installed to monitor for "bias" in media content
Trump administration is using federal regulatory power to influence media consolidation and content

Why it matters

It represents a concentration of media power under presidential influence
Black cultural programming and representation in media are being threatened
The independence of journalism and media is being compromised
It sets a precedent for future media deals requiring "political appeasement"
The $16 million settlement creates a potential model for other companies seeking regulatory approval
Media organizations traditionally serving as checks on presidential power are being subordinated
Cultural diversity in media content may be diminished

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer