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Disney-Fox transaction puts antitrust enforcers in bind over Trump ally

Complicating any review of mega-deal is friendship and political ties between US president and Rupert Murdoch

Published Sun, Dec 17, 2017 · 09:50 PM

Washington

THE blockbuster deal between Walt Disney Co and 21st Century Fox could likely put US antitrust enforcers in an awkward position following the government's challenge to another media-entertainment mega-deal.

The US$52 billion deal would give Disney the prized Fox television and film studios, as well as international TV operations and US cable entertainment and regional sports channels from the empire created by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who would maintain control of the Donald Trump-friendly Fox News Channel.

The deal has spa…