US President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested he would play a decisive role in determining whether the proposed $72 billion merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery will be allowed to proceed, citing potential concerns over market dominance.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival at the Kennedy Center’s annual awards ceremony, Trump said the scale of the combined entertainment giant warrants close scrutiny. “I’ll be involved in that decision,” he declared. “It’s going to be for some economists to tell… But it is a big market share. There’s no question it could be a problem.”
Netflix announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s television, film studio and streaming operations — a move that would give the streaming platform control over one of Hollywood’s most iconic and valuable catalogues. The acquisition, valued at $72 billion, marks one of the largest entertainment deals in history and could reshape the global media landscape.
The merger would bring together Warner Bros.’ century-old film studio — home to franchises such as Harry Potter, Batman and Dune — with Netflix’s massive streaming subscriber base. Analysts say the deal would position Netflix as an unrivalled entertainment powerhouse, though antitrust questions loom large.
Trump stopped short of stating whether he supports or opposes the deal outright, but his comments underline the regulatory hurdles Netflix may face in Washington. The administration is expected to examine how the merger might affect competition, consumer choice and the wider entertainment economy.
As Hollywood braces for potential restructuring, the proposed merger has already sparked debate among policymakers, industry experts and competitors, many of whom warn that further consolidation could squeeze out smaller studios and limit diversity in content creation.
Regulators have yet to formally respond to the merger proposal, but Trump’s remarks signal that the deal — even if attractive to investors — will not escape White House scrutiny.
Melissa Enoch
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