UPDATE: President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the potential $82.7 billion merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, suggesting it may encounter significant regulatory challenges. Speaking to reporters on the red carpet of the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. late Sunday, Trump noted that the deal “has to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens.”
Trump praised Netflix as a “great company” but emphasized the implications of the merger, stating, “It’s a lot of market share, so we’ll have to see what happens.” The President’s remarks come on the heels of Netflix’s announcement of the acquisition, which aims to integrate Warner Bros., its film and television studios, and services like HBO Max.
As part of the merger, Netflix plans to complete the transaction by Q3 2026, following the separation of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Discovery Global into a new publicly traded entity. Trump’s comments reflect skepticism regarding the consolidation of such substantial market power, highlighting that “when they have Warner Bros., you know, that share goes up a lot.”
In a notable exchange, Trump was asked if Netflix should be permitted to proceed with the acquisition. He replied, “Well, that’s the question,” and pointed out the need for economists to weigh in on the implications of this significant market consolidation.
During the event, Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, expressed admiration for Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos, describing him as a “fantastic man” and noting their recent meeting in the Oval Office. While he refrained from disclosing specifics of their discussion, Trump asserted that Sarandos did not make any promises regarding the merger.
Netflix currently boasts over 300 million paid memberships across more than 190 countries, a statistic that underscores the company’s global influence. As the situation develops, stakeholders and industry observers will be closely monitoring how regulatory bodies respond to the proposed merger.
In summary, Trump’s comments highlight the complexities surrounding the Netflix-Warner Bros. merger, emphasizing the need for regulatory scrutiny in a rapidly evolving media landscape. The coming weeks may reveal more about the future of this high-stakes deal as officials weigh its potential impact on competition and consumer choice.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds. The outcome of this merger could redefine the streaming industry, making it a critical development for both companies and their millions of subscribers.
