Trump Stays Neutral Amid Paramount and Netflix Bidding War for Warner Bros. Discovery
President Trump is taking a sideline approach as the competition heats up between Paramount Skydance and Netflix in their bids for Warner Bros. Discovery. Speaking to reporters on Monday, he mentioned that neither streaming service’s leaders are particularly close allies of his.
“I know these companies well and what they do. But it’s important to consider, well, what percentage of the market are they each commanding?” Trump said, expressing hesitation as he acknowledged both companies don’t necessarily have strong ties with him. “I want to do the right thing, and that’s really what matters here,” he added.
His comments came shortly after Paramount Skydance, under David Ellison, launched a bold $30-per-share takeover bid for a total market value of $108.4 billion. This follows Netflix’s announcement of an $83.7 billion acquisition plan that would have them acquiring Warner Bros.’ studios, HBO, HBO Max, and its gaming division.
Trump indicated that he would be open to hearing Netflix’s perspective but also cautioned that they may run into regulatory hurdles. At the Kennedy Center Honors event in Washington, D.C., he admitted to having met Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, acknowledging the potential legal challenges the merger could face.
“I’ll be involved in that decision,” Trump stated regarding Netflix’s proposed $83 billion deal with Warner Bros., noting that he would let the process play out to see what unfolds.
He offered praise for Sarandos, calling him a “great guy,” referencing the important market dynamics at play. “I have a lot of respect for him, but, you know, it’s all about market share. It’s a big deal and it could cause some challenges,” Trump remarked.
Sarandos, in a recent call with investors, expressed optimism that the Warner Bros. deal would finalize in the coming 12 to 18 months, assuring that the transaction aims to support consumers and creators alike.
Moreover, during the meeting, Sarandos noted that should the deal progress, Netflix would rival the size of YouTube in the U.S., while still falling short of some larger media companies in TV market share.
Before Netflix’s bid, Paramount criticized the sales process as being influenced by management conflicts and potential personal interests. Warner Bros. Discovery countered, asserting their board was fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities with integrity.
Additionally, Trump voiced his disapproval of Paramount after CBS aired a segment on 60 Minutes featuring Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, describing her departure from America First values as insincere. He posted on Truth Social, criticizing the segment and its portrayal of claims surrounding political issues, stating, “But my real issue with the show is Paramount’s ownership allowing this kind of content to air. It’s no better than before.” He concluded by noting the quality of 60 Minutes has diminished since the Ellisons took over.
