By Ezaga Evi-Ben
US President Donald Trump has raised concerns about Netflix’s plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s movie studios and HBO streaming networks in a $72 billion deal.
On Friday, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced the landmark deal, which will bring some of the companies’ biggest franchises to Netflix, representing one of the most significant shifts in entertainment in years.
Speaking at an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump said Netflix has a “big market share” and warned that the company’s size “could be a problem” if the deal goes ahead.
He added that he intends to be personally involved in the approval process.
Trump also revealed that Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently visited the Oval Office and praised him for his work at the company
“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.” Trump said
Sarandos described the partnership as a strategic move to position Netflix for success in the “decades to come,” acknowledging that the announcement may have surprised some investors.
The merger still requires approval from US competition authorities and is expected to be finalized after Warner Bros. completes its planned business split in 2026.
Once complete, the combined company will give Netflix unprecedented access to Warner’s studios and streaming content, further strengthening its global entertainment reach.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
