Former President Donald Trump has raised alarms about the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning it could pose national economic and media influence challenges. The deal, valued at $35 billion, would reshape the global streaming landscape and draw heightened scrutiny amid shifting political dynamics.
- Netflix’s proposed $35 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery
- Combined subscriber base exceeding 400 million globally
- Trump’s public criticism frames the deal as a national interest concern
- FTC and EU regulators conducting antitrust and security reviews
- Potential reduction in content competition and innovation
- Increased scrutiny over international media influence and ownership
Former President Donald Trump has publicly questioned the potential implications of Netflix’s proposed $35 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, calling the merger a possible 'problem' for U.S. economic and media sovereignty. The announcement, made during a campaign-style rally in late November 2025, marked a rare intervention in corporate M&A by a former U.S. leader, signaling growing political attention on media consolidation. The deal, which would combine Netflix’s global streaming reach with Warner Bros. Discovery’s vast library of content—including HBO, CNN, and the DC Universe—would create the world’s largest streaming entity by subscriber base. With Netflix boasting over 270 million subscribers and Warner Bros. Discovery serving more than 130 million in its direct-to-consumer platforms, the merged entity would control over 400 million digital entertainment users worldwide. Regulators in the U.S. and the European Union are already reviewing the transaction under antitrust and national security frameworks. Analysts project that the merger could reduce content competition by eliminating a major rival to Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+, potentially allowing the combined company to dictate pricing and licensing terms across the industry. Market watchers note that such consolidation could reduce consumer choice and stifle innovation in original programming. The political reaction has intensified, with several lawmakers calling for a deeper investigation into foreign ownership implications, especially given Warner Bros. Discovery’s international operations, including significant holdings in India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The outcome may hinge on whether the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice view the merger as a threat to market plurality or a necessary evolution in a hyper-competitive digital media environment.