Paramount Taps Former Trump White House Attorney to Lead Global Public Policy

Rene Augustine, a former DOJ antitrust official, will start at the media giant next week, reporting to Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Paramount Skydance has appointed Rene Augustine, a former Trump White House attorney, as its new senior vice president of global public policy. Augustine, who previously served in advisory roles for the Kennedy Center and as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ's Antitrust Division, will be responsible for developing policies and building diplomatic relationships to advance the company's strategic objectives. She will report directly to Paramount's Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim.

Why it matters

This hire comes as Paramount has launched a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid to try to thwart Netflix's $83 billion deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Augustine's experience in government and the private sector, as well as her bipartisan relationships, will be crucial in navigating the complex regulatory and policy landscape surrounding this high-stakes corporate battle.

The details

In her new role, Augustine will be based in Washington, D.C. and regularly interact with Paramount's teams around the globe. She will be responsible for developing policies and building key diplomatic relationships that advance the company's strategic objectives. Delrahim, who has previously worked with Augustine, praised her as 'a highly respected attorney who has excelled in all three branches of government and the private sector' and said she is 'uniquely qualified and experienced to represent Paramount across a variety of policy, regulatory and diplomatic matters'.

  • Augustine will start her new role at Paramount on February 17, 2026.
  • Paramount has launched a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid to try to thwart Netflix's $83 billion deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
  • Shareholders are expected to vote on the Netflix deal by April 2026.

The players

Rene Augustine

A former Trump White House attorney who has been appointed as Paramount's new senior vice president of global public policy. She previously served in advisory roles for the Kennedy Center and as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ's Antitrust Division.

Makan Delrahim

Paramount's Chief Legal Officer, who previously worked with Augustine at the Department of Justice and praised her as 'uniquely qualified and experienced' to represent the company.

Paramount Skydance

The media giant that has appointed Rene Augustine to lead its global public policy efforts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Rene is a highly respected attorney who has excelled in all three branches of government and the private sector. She has worked in a bipartisan manner with the highest security clearances in the government.”

— Makan Delrahim, Chief Legal Officer, Paramount (thewrap.com)

What’s next

Shareholders are expected to vote on the Netflix deal by April 2026.

The takeaway

Paramount's hire of Rene Augustine, a seasoned government and private sector attorney with bipartisan relationships, signals the company's intent to aggressively navigate the complex regulatory and policy landscape as it pursues a high-stakes corporate takeover battle with Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.