Former US President Donald Trump has publicly called for Netflix to dismiss former National Security Advisor Susan Rice from its board of directors. The demand, made via his Truth Social platform, intensifies his scrutiny of the streaming service as it negotiates a potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal subject to US antitrust investigation.
Trump's post, which echoed a call from right-wing activist Laura Loomer, instructed Netflix to "immediately terminate" Rice or "pay the consequences." The move follows recent comments by Rice, who served under Presidents Obama and Biden, warning corporations against aligning too closely with Trump.
Corporate Accountability Warning
Rice recently stated on the "Stay Tuned with Preet Bharara" podcast that companies which "take a knee" to the former president and break the law should expect an "accountability agenda" if Democrats regain power. Her remarks appear to have triggered the latest confrontation.
The political clash unfolds against the backdrop of a high-stakes corporate merger. Netflix's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery will require approval from the US Department of Justice's antitrust division, a process Trump has commented on previously.
Trump's Evolving Stance on the Deal
In December, Trump suggested the merger "could be a problem," citing Netflix's "very big market share." However, by February, he stated he "shouldn't be involved" and would defer to the Department of Justice's investigation, according to previous Business Insider reporting.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos addressed the situation this week on Puck's "The Town" podcast. He stated that Trump had not requested political concessions during discussions about the potential deal. Instead, Sarandos said the former president's focus was on "bringing jobs back to Hollywood" after a period of reduced production.
Broader Context and Corporate Governance
Susan Rice joined the Netflix board in 2018, bringing significant foreign policy and government experience to the company's governance. Her position has periodically drawn criticism from conservative figures.
The proposed merger represents a major consolidation in the streaming and entertainment industry, which has seen rapid evolution and intense competition in recent years. Regulatory scrutiny is expected to be rigorous, examining impacts on market competition, consumer choice, and content diversity.
As of the latest reports, representatives for both Netflix and Susan Rice have not responded to requests for comment from Business Insider regarding Trump's latest demands. The situation highlights the ongoing intersection of corporate strategy, political pressure, and regulatory oversight in the modern media landscape.