The World’s Richest Don’t Just Buy Tech They Buy Influence

Being ultra-wealthy today isn’t just about owning billions. It’s about owning the narrative.

From Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter (now X) to Jeff Bezos’s Washington Post to Zuckerberg’s control of Facebook and Instagram, the biggest names in tech aren’t stopping at software. They want media—and with it, influence over what people think, say, and vote.

Now Larry Ellison, the Oracle founder and world’s second-richest man, has made his move. Through his son David, he’s taken control of Paramount $PARA , one of the most iconic media companies in the U.S., in a $6 billion deal.

This isn’t just a business move. It’s a power play that touches politics, media, and the future of AI.

From Tech Empire to Hollywood Throne

David Ellison isn’t your typical tech heir. While his father built Oracle, David chased Hollywood dreams. He launched Skydance Media, producing big-budget hits like Mission Impossible and Star Trek. But what he really wanted was his own studio empire.

Now he has it. With his father’s funding and behind-the-scenes backing, David led Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount and its crown jewels—CBS News, MTV, 60 Minutes, Showtime, and more.

David will run the new company. But make no mistake: Larry Ellison holds the power behind the scenes.

Why Paramount Matters

Paramount isn’t just a movie studio. It’s one of the original “Big Five” of Hollywood. It has a century of cultural weight, and more importantly, it owns channels that reach millions of Americans.

But in recent years, Paramount has struggled. It missed the streaming wave, burned cash, and lost relevance. The controlling Redstone family, aging and facing pressure, finally agreed to sell.

This was Ellison’s moment. He didn’t just buy a studio. He bought influence.

The Deal Gets Political

Here’s where things get more complicated—and more revealing.

Years ago, CBS aired a segment that angered Donald Trump. He sued, demanding $1.5 billion in damages. That lawsuit lingered… until just before the Paramount deal closed.

In a surprising twist, CBS settled and agreed to pay Trump $16 million. At the same time, Skydance pledged $20 million in ad support to Trump’s 2024 campaign.

Coincidence? Many think not.

Regulators noticed too. The U.S. telecom agency, the FCC, had to approve the deal. Democrat-appointed members raised red flags, calling the move politically tainted. But Republican commissioners—many appointed by Trump—pushed it through.

Even more controversial: Skydance promised that CBS News would undergo “bias audits” and drop some diversity policies. That raised fears of political influence shaping news coverage directly—an almost unheard-of move in U.S. media.

Ellison’s Quiet but Calculated Strategy

Unlike Musk’s outbursts or Zuckerberg’s speeches, Larry Ellison moves in silence. But his timing is precise.

He backed Trump in 2020, drawing fire from Silicon Valley. He helped fund Musk’s Twitter takeover. He’s supported the building of a “loyalty database” to fill a future Trump administration.

Now, by controlling CBS and Paramount, he has both a cultural megaphone and political leverage. At a time when AI, media, and elections are colliding, Ellison has put himself in a position of rare strategic power.

Why AI Is the Final Piece of the Puzzle

This move isn’t just about news or movies. It’s part of a bigger strategy.

Ellison’s company, Oracle, is building massive AI data centers in partnership with OpenAI and SoftBank. These aren’t just business projects—they’re linked to government initiatives like Trump’s “Project Stargate,” which aims to supercharge America’s AI infrastructure.

With AI, media, and politics in one hand, Ellison is positioning himself not just as a businessman, but as a kingmaker.

The Bottom Line

The Ellison takeover of Paramount isn’t just another Hollywood story. It’s a snapshot of how today’s billionaires consolidate power.

Media isn’t just for storytelling—it shapes public opinion. AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about who controls the future. And politics is the glue that holds it all together.

For Ellison, owning Paramount gives his son a Hollywood kingdom. But it also gives him a new channel to shape what America sees, hears, and thinks.

And for the rest of us, it’s a reminder: The people building the future aren’t just writing code—they’re writing the narrative.