Mon Dec 08 04:32:24 UTC 2025: News Article:

Trump Weighs In on Netflix’s $83 Billion Warner Bros. Acquisition, Cites Antitrust Concerns

Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump has voiced his concerns regarding Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal valued at approximately $83 billion. Speaking at the Kennedy Center Honors awards ceremony, Trump stated that Netflix already possesses a “very large market share” and that the acquisition “could be a problem.” He indicated he would be involved in the regulatory decision-making process.

The potential acquisition has sparked antitrust concerns and generated significant discussion within the Hollywood community. If approved in its current form, Netflix would acquire Warner Bros. Studios, gaining access to a vast content library including iconic films like “Casablanca” and “Citizen Kane,” as well as popular franchises such as “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” and DC Comics properties. The deal would also absorb the competing streaming platform HBO Max.

While Netflix would gain a considerable catalog, the deal excludes television channels like Discovery and CNN, which would be spun off from Warner Bros. prior to the sale. Warner Bros. Discovery initiated the sale process in October following multiple unsolicited offers. Netflix ultimately prevailed over competing bids from Comcast and Paramount Skydance, the latter of which is backed by Paramount chief David Ellison, a major Trump supporter.

Despite his reservations about the market share implications, Trump also praised Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who recently visited the White House, for doing “one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.” Federal regulators are expected to carefully scrutinize the proposed acquisition, weighing its potential impact on competition and the entertainment industry landscape.

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