The Ellison’s support of Donald Trump keeps paying off as the Department of Justice, under President Trump, have filed to support David Ellison and Paramount‘s demand for a $1.88 billion bond from a dozen states and the Writers Guild of America in the antitrust lawsuit currently going on over Paramount’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. On August 17, Paramount requested the bond, a federal law protects mergers and acquisition parties from “potential harm” from halting the deal for litigation.

In July, a dozen states, as well as the Writers Guild of America, sued Paramount citing antitrust concerns to stop the $111 billion deal to take over Warner Bros. Discovery. With the trial set to take place in March 2027, the deal will be delayed with a cost increase, “ticking fee,” for Paramount Skydance to complete its purchase. The price increases 25 cents per share per quarter after September 30 it’s not approved. That would add $627 million each quarter, or roughly $7 million per day and if the court case’s timeline remains what has been proposed, it’ll add about $1.3 billion to the $111 billion cost. Paramount’s bond request is an attempt to recover that increased cost. The bond would cover potential damages if the preliminary injunction under federal antitrust law is overturned.

Paramount had agreed to freeze its acquisition until the trial is completed or June 2027, whichever comes first, before filing the bond request.