Trump Warns Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal May Backfire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump voiced concerns over Netflix’s $72 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, citing potential market dominance. He acknowledged Netflix’s success but said the merger could lead to excessive concentration in the entertainment sector. Trump confirmed he will take part in the regulatory review process.
Netflix Warner Bros. Merger Quick Looks
- Trump says Netflix-Warner Bros. deal “could be a problem”
- Merger would create massive streaming and media powerhouse
- Deal valued at $72 billion, announced Dec. 5
- Trump praises Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos but remains cautious
- Concerns focus on combined market share and industry control
- Trump met with Sarandos in Oval Office before deal
- President says he’ll play role in approval process
- No guarantees offered on regulatory clearance, Trump confirms
Deep Look: Trump Questions Netflix-Warner Bros. Merger Over Market Share
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Sunday raised red flags about the massive $72 billion acquisition deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that the proposed merger “could be a problem” due to the potential market share of the combined entity.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet before the Kennedy Center Honors, Trump addressed the high-profile deal, which would bring together two of the largest players in streaming and entertainment under one corporate roof. The Republican president said the proposed merger would require careful scrutiny from federal regulators and hinted at his own involvement in the decision-making process.
“There’s no question about it,” Trump said when asked about the merger. “They have a very big market share, and when they have Warner Bros., you know, that share goes up a lot. So, I don’t know. It could be a problem.”
If finalized, the deal would unite Netflix’s vast streaming library and original content production capabilities with Warner Bros. Discovery’s extensive television and motion picture assets, including HBO Max and DC Studios. Industry analysts say the merger could reshape the global entertainment landscape, but it also raises questions about competition, antitrust issues, and consumer choice.
“It has to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump added, referring to the regulatory review that lies ahead. He confirmed that he would be “involved in that decision.”
Despite his concerns, Trump expressed admiration for Netflix and its CEO, Ted Sarandos. He described the company as “great” and said Sarandos is “a fantastic man” who has done “one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies and other things.” Trump revealed that he met with Sarandos in the Oval Office shortly before the deal was publicly announced on December 5.
The meeting, according to Trump, did not result in any commitments from Sarandos regarding the regulatory path ahead. Still, Trump characterized the Netflix chief in glowing terms, calling him “a great person” with an impressive track record in the entertainment industry.
When asked directly whether Netflix should be allowed to acquire the studio behind franchises like “Harry Potter” and networks like HBO, Trump responded cautiously: “Well, that’s the question.”
He reiterated his main concern—market share—multiple times during the brief exchange. “Netflix is a great company. They’ve done a phenomenal job,” Trump said. “But it’s a lot of market share, so we’ll have to see what happens.”
The president’s comments reflect an increasing willingness by federal officials to scrutinize large-scale mergers in media, tech, and communications. Antitrust regulators have taken a closer look at consolidation in recent years, especially when deals involve dominant players in key markets like streaming video, film production, and global content distribution.
Trump’s statement also aligns with a growing bipartisan focus on limiting corporate consolidation that could stifle competition or disadvantage consumers. While he praised Sarandos and the innovation Netflix has brought to the industry, Trump made clear that admiration alone won’t exempt the deal from scrutiny.
The deal, one of the largest in entertainment history, has not yet received approval from the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission, both of which could play key roles in the decision. Analysts expect months of review before any final determination is made.
As Trump wrapped up his remarks, he returned once more to the size of the potential merged company. “There’s no question about it,” he said. “It could be a problem.”
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