President Donald Trump has expressed concerns over Netflix’s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, warning that the combined market share of both companies “could be a problem.”
Eko Hot News reports that Trump made the remarks on Dec. 7 while speaking to journalists at the Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington, D.C. He confirmed a meeting with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos but did not state whether he supported approval of the deal.
Trump praised Sarandos’ leadership but noted that Netflix already holds a “very big market share” in the streaming industry. He added that acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery would significantly increase that dominance, making it a matter for economic and regulatory scrutiny.
Netflix announced the $72 billion agreement on Dec. 5, securing control of Warner Bros. Discovery’s film studios, TV assets, and streaming division. The deal followed an intense bidding contest in which Netflix outbid Paramount Skydance with an offer of nearly $28 per share.
The proposed merger has sparked bipartisan political pushback in the U.S. Congress. Republican lawmakers argue that the acquisition could reduce consumer choice and give Netflix an excessively large share of the streaming market.
Senator Mike Lee, who heads the Senate antitrust subcommittee, warned that the deal should alert regulators globally. He stated that a Netflix takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery raises “serious antitrust concerns.”
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren also criticized the agreement, calling it “an anti-monopoly nightmare.” She argued that a combined Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery would control nearly half of the streaming market, potentially resulting in fewer choices and higher subscription costs for consumers.
Netflix, however, insists that the acquisition will create jobs and expand value for its 300 million subscribers. Industry analysts expect the deal to undergo a rigorous antitrust review by the U.S. Department of Justice, especially due to its impact on competition between HBO Max and Netflix.
