"Now that the federal government has abandoned antitrust enforcement in favor of cronyism and runaway consolidation, state attorneys general must step in to block this deal," said one critic.

A coalition of state attorneys general led by California is preparing a lawsuit to challenge the merger.

The Trump administration has given the green light for Paramount Skydance to take over Warner Bros. Discovery in a mega-merger that will reshape Hollywood.

The U.S. Justice Department has approved Paramount Skydance Corp's massive $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. This regulatory green light comes as several states…