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In recent news, Donald Trump raised concerns about Netflix’s dominating market share in streaming video as the company seeks regulatory approval for its $83 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Trump highlighted the potential issue of Netflix’s market share increasing significantly with the addition of Warner Bros, potentially surpassing the 30% market share threshold in the US.
The acquisition of Warner Bros by Netflix was met with mixed reactions, with some industry voices, including the Hollywood screenwriters’ union, calling for the deal to be blocked. Trump indicated that he would be involved in the decision-making process regarding the approval of the transaction, similar to the lengthy battle that took place when AT&T acquired Time Warner during his first administration.
During a recent meeting at the Oval Office, Trump met with Ted Sarandos, the co-chief executive of Netflix, who did not provide any assurances regarding the Warner deal. Despite this, Trump praised Sarandos as a “great person” and compared him to legendary movie mogul Louis B Mayer.
The unexpected victory of Netflix in the Warner Bros auction surprised many in Hollywood, as Paramount’s bid was initially seen as more likely to receive regulatory approval due to the backing of Larry Ellison, a Trump supporter and co-founder of Oracle. Trump had previously expressed support for Paramount to win the auction, citing his friendship with the Ellisons.
The Netflix-Warner deal is expected to undergo regulatory scrutiny in the US and Europe before it can be finalized, with a projected closing date in the third quarter of 2026 or later. Despite the challenges ahead, both companies are optimistic about the potential synergies and opportunities that the merger could bring.
As Trump prepared to host the Kennedy Center Honors, where he was set to recognize iconic figures such as Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, and the rock band Kiss, the Netflix-Warner deal remained a topic of discussion in the media.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and subscribe to the White House Watch newsletter for the latest insights and analysis on Trump’s second term and its impact on the world of business and politics.
