Weapons of Mass Distraction is a 1997 television film directed by Stephen Surjik and written by Larry Gelbart, about two media moguls and their fight over ownership of a professional American football team.

The film starred Gabriel Byrne and Ben Kingsley, with an ensemble supporting cast including Illeana Douglas, Mimi Rogers, and Jeffrey Tambor.

Among his targets is not only Senator Paxton, against whom he carries an obvious grudge, but also far less "culpable" individuals such as children's television presenter Robin Zimmer and plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathon Cummings, whose lives are upended merely because Powers is convinced this will serve (or eliminate a perceived threat to) his interests.

In spite of all of his ruthlessness, the propects of Powers' Los Angeles bid look increasingly dim until he is able to procure details of the Messenger family's darkest and most damaging secret.

Once Powers discreetly divulges his knowledge to Messenger, Senator Paxton quickly brokers an uneasy compromise in which the feuding moguls agree to share ownership of the Los Angeles football franchise.