Former President Donald Trump has publicly called for Netflix to remove board member Susan Rice, issuing a warning of “consequences” if the streaming giant fails to comply. The demand comes in response to recent remarks by Rice, who suggested that Democrats would hold corporations, media outlets, and law firms accountable for perceived past allegiances to Trump, should they regain political power.
In a statement on social media, Trump characterized Rice as a “political hack” lacking competence, asserting her influence has waned and will not return. This public admonishment targets Rice’s commentary on a podcast where she posited that entities which “bent the knee” to Trump might face repercussions. Rice indicated that a political shift could lead to a scenario where these entities are “caught with more than their pants down,” and that Democrats, upon returning to power, would not simply “forgive” actions taken during the Trump era.
Rice, who previously served on Netflix’s board from 2018 to 2021, rejoined the board in 2023. Netflix has not yet responded to requests for comment.
This public spat unfolds against a backdrop of significant regulatory scrutiny for Netflix. The Department of Justice is currently reviewing Netflix’s proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a deal that would exclude WBD’s cable networks, including CNN. Trump, who had previously indicated an intention to influence the DOJ’s review process, recently stated he would defer to their judgment.
The regulatory landscape for this potential merger is complex. The DOJ is reportedly investigating whether the acquisition could harm market competition. Furthermore, inquiries have extended to how Netflix’s past acquisitions have impacted competition for creative talent. Reports also indicate the DOJ is examining whether Netflix employs anticompetitive strategies in its negotiations with independent content creators for programming rights.
Adding another layer to the WBD situation, Paramount Global and Skydance Media have launched a competing, unsolicited bid to acquire WBD, offering shareholders $30 per share in an all-cash transaction.
Despite these regulatory headwinds and the public commentary, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has expressed confidence in securing regulatory approval for the WBD deal, describing it as beneficial for consumers, innovation, and workers. The ongoing review by the Department of Justice, however, signals a period of intense scrutiny for Netflix’s business practices and its expanding footprint in the media landscape.
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