Trump warns Netflix’s $72bn bid could “Be a problem” for Hollywood

Trumps remarks have injected new uncertainty into a deal already drawing industry concern and awaiting competition approval.

Speaking in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump warned that Netflix’s ‘big market share’ and the scale of the proposed merger ‘could be a problem’, the BBC notes.

Mounting pressure

The two companies announced on Friday that Warner Brothers’ major franchises – including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, The Matrix and Looney Tunes – would eventually shift to Netflix, forming a new media powerhouse.

The agreement would become official after Warner Bros completes a business split slated for late 2026.

Regulators are now weighing whether such consolidation could breach US antitrust laws if the combined streaming presence becomes too dominant.

The BBC reported that the Justice Department may intervene should the merger be found to restrict competition.

Political intervention

According to the BBC, at the John F. Kennedy Center, Trump emphasised that Netflix holds a ‘very big market share’, which would ‘go up by a lot’ if the takeover proceeds

He said he would personally take part in the decision-making process, suggesting a level of presidential involvement not usually seen in technical merger reviews.

Trump also noted that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos had recently visited the Oval Office, adding: “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great person… He’s done one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.”

Sarandos has described the deal as a long-term strategic investment.

Industry resistance

Netflix outbid rivals including Comcast and Paramount Skydance to secure the agreement.

The Writers Guild of America urged regulators to block the deal, arguing that allowing ‘the world’s largest streaming company’ to absorb a major competitor would harm workers, raise prices, and reduce content diversity, the BBC reports

Sources: BBC

This article is made and published by August M, who may have used AI in the preparation