President Trump says Netflix-Warner Bros. deal 'could be a problem'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Dec. 7, 2025, 8:41 p.m. ET


President Donald Trump weighed in on Netflix's proposed $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, saying he would be involved in the review and that the combined entity's market share "could be a problem."

On Dec. 7, Trump told reporters as he arrived at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C., that he had met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. The president did not say whether he favored approval for the deal, but praised Sarandos and noted that Netflix has a "very big market share."

"And when they have Warner Brothers... that share goes up a lot," Trump said. "That's going to be for some economists to tell... But it is a big market share. There's no question it could be a problem."

Netflix announced on Dec. 5 that it agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion, a deal that would give the streaming pioneer control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets. The agreement follows a weekslong bidding war in which Netflix seized the lead with an almost $28-a-share offer that eclipsed Paramount Skydance's nearly $24 bid for the whole of Warner Bros. Discovery, including the cable TV assets slated for a spinoff.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/07/donald-trump-netflix-warner-bros-deal-review/87662481007/

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This is a "pick your poison" scenario because no matter which bidder won, ownership would still consolidate media assets, as the other bidders already had "broadcast" and "streaming" services in their portfolios, and all owned film/TV studios, with many decades' worth of programs (radio/film/television) in their catalogs.

Netflix didn't come into this "opportunity" as a "legacy broadcast media" entity (i.e., OTA and/or cable and/or satellite). I know many remember the days of Netflix being a "mail-order DVD rental" company (like Comcast started as a small cable-wiring company with limited program offerings and services, and now owns NBC and Universal Studios).

Netflix managed to gain a lot of their recent $$$ (and accolades) by creating their own "studios" and production (like Amazon).

[twodogsbarking]

1. ?

??

[johnnyfins]

2. This is TSF saying "I need to wet my beak"

[NCDem47]

3. If any merger/aquistion is big and public...

That asshole will want his cut. And if its anything media related, he'll extract concessions to boost propaganda.

Just so sick of this bullshit.

For the love of GOD, let Dems take the House in the midterms to shine massive light on this corruption.

[durablend]

6. "What's in this for ME?"

"Be a shame if this merger doesn't happen"

[BumRushDaShow]

7. ...

(glad I wasn't drinking my tea when I read this )

[Scrivener7]

8. Yep. Exactly.

[QueerDuck]

12. Exactly... "what's in it for me?"

He wants money, or someone fired.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. Netflix should know "because of Biden" things cost more now.

Even bribes. I mean if Netflix can sink $84b into a merger they can throw some to their favorite president.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Trump doesn't miss a shakedown.

He’s a one-man crime wave

[Bengus81]

9. LOL...several people on DU CALLED THIS days ago. Go look for the posts!

Better start really greasing some palms Netflix,be a shame if suddenly don't you get what you want!

[angrychair]

10. He will tank the deal

Because the Ellisons, owners of Paramount Skydance, are part of his billionaire buddies club that is grifting America and Netflix's Ted Sarandos is not.

Honestly, in the three way bidding war between Paramount Skydance, Netflix and Comcast, my unambiguous choice is Netflix because they are the only company not run by rightwing extremists.
Sarandos has actually stood up to Mango Mussolini and refused to curb its DEI and given support to Democratic talking points.

[onenote]

13. A small nit -- It's Paramount "Skydance," not Paramount Sundance

Don't want anyone thinking Ellison has his hands on a piece of Redford's legacy.

[angrychair]

14. No, good catch

Interact with DU almost exclusively on my phone and it's auto suggesting is poor at times. I must have typed it in like that at one point and now it just autosuggest it and I picked it.

Thanks for the catch!

[sop]

11. Trump will find something to them sue for, tacitly threatening to "review the deal" if they don't settle for million$,

they'll knuckle under and pay up, the settlement money will go directly to Trump, no laws will be broken, then the deal will be approved by the appropriate governmental agency. Trump has perfected the art of the legal shakedown.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. There's a new wrinkle in this story now -

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143579050

Stay tuned for the next episode of -

[chouchou]

16. Oh Brother. Donald Trump knows about "Deals" or "Economics" as much as my dog knows Advance Quantum Mechanics.

[Prairie Gates]

17. Ya gotta kick up to the boss

The boss gotta get a taste before you announce.

[moniss]

18. The extortion demand.nt