Trump Says He’ll Help Decide Netflix–Warner Bros Deal

US President Donald Trump says he is taking a close look at Netflix’s plan to buy Warner Brothers Discovery’s film studio and HBO streaming businesses in a deal worth around $72 billion.

Speaking in Washington DC, he warned that Netflix already holds a large piece of the streaming market and said joining forces with Warner Brothers could create issues for competition.

The announcement comes after both companies confirmed they had reached an agreement to bring some of Warner’s biggest franchises to Netflix. This includes well-known series and films such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, The Matrix and Lord of the Rings. If approved, the deal would make Netflix even more dominant in the entertainment industry.

The merger still needs approval from regulators, and the companies expect the process to continue into late 2026, once Warner Brothers completes a planned business split.

The US Justice Department is expected to review the deal closely. Officials could raise concerns if they believe the combined streaming power of Netflix and HBO becomes too strong.

Trump said Netflix’s market position would grow sharply if the purchase goes forward and added that he intends to be personally involved in the decision. He also mentioned that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently visited the Oval Office, praising him by saying, “I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great person. He’s done one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.”

Some industry experts told the BBC that the main competition questions revolve around Netflix merging with HBO’s streaming business. They noted that Warner Brothers owns a far larger library of films and shows than Netflix does. Others expect the deal to eventually get approved but believe the companies may need to make concessions to address concerns.

Another former US regulator said Trump’s comments show the White House may have a strong influence over the final ruling. He said this level of presidential involvement would be unusual, since merger reviews are normally handled through technical and legal processes.

Netflix’s agreement comes after beating out rivals such as Comcast and Paramount Skydance. Paramount Skydance, led by David Ellison, had previously attempted to buy all of Warner Brothers. His father, Larry Ellison, is a known Trump ally.

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