President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his opposition to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix, a deal that could significantly reshape the entertainment industry. On January 11, 2026, the President shared his views via Truth Social, urging federal authorities to intervene and prevent what he termed the "Netflix Cultural Takeover."
The acquisition, valued at $82.7 billion, would see Netflix, the largest global streaming platform, amalgamate with Warner Bros. Discovery, owner of significant entertainment assets such as HBO, DC Comics, and the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones franchises. This merger could create one of the most substantial consolidations in media history, merging Netflix's streaming prowess with Warner Bros. Discovery's extensive content library.
President Trump's opposition to the deal aligns with concerns highlighted in an opinion piece he shared, which argues that the combined company would wield unparalleled cultural influence in the United States. The piece suggests that the merger would grant the new entity excessive control over the narratives and stories that reach American audiences.
Further scrutiny has arisen regarding the decision-making process behind Warner Bros. Discovery's choice of Netflix as a merger partner. Reports have surfaced of a competing offer from Paramount Skydance, which allegedly proposed an all-cash bid of approximately $30 per share. This has led to questions from Congress about whether Warner Bros. Discovery's board is acting in the best interests of its shareholders.
Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) discussed these concerns on his show, "The Matt Gaetz Show," raising the possibility that choosing a lower offer could potentially breach fiduciary duties. Gaetz pondered whether ideological motives outweighed financial considerations in the decision-making process, which could lead to legal issues.
The opinion piece also outlines several competitive concerns that could stem from the merger, such as reduced competition across streaming services, theatrical distribution, and content production. This could impact opportunities for independent filmmakers and put additional pressure on movie theaters, which are already struggling post-pandemic.
The merger would afford the new entity increased bargaining power in business negotiations, including pricing decisions, labor contracts, and content release timing. These concerns echo broader debates about consolidation within media and technology sectors, which will likely factor into federal regulators' review of the transaction under antitrust laws.
As the story unfolds, the industry and public are closely watching how this potential merger could alter the entertainment landscape and what actions federal regulators will take in response to President Trump's call to action.
