President Trump and Paramount CEO David Ellison hosted a private dinner in Washington on Thursday that drew top CBS News executives, according to the New York Times. Trump spoke for nearly an hour at the Paramount-hosted event as Ellison seeks federal approval for his proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The gathering has sparked scrutiny over potential journalistic and regulatory conflicts of interest. Ellison requires clearance from federal regulators to complete the megadeal, which would reshape the media landscape by combining Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and CBS under unified ownership.

The event underscores the increasingly close ties between the Trump administration and major media executives as consolidation in the entertainment industry accelerates. Industry analysts say the dinner could influence how regulators view the pending transaction.