Trump demands Netflix fire Susan Rice or face ‘consequences’ amid Warner Bros. bidding war

US President Donald Trump has issued a blunt ultimatum to streaming giant Netflix, demanding the immediate removal of former Democratic national security official Susan Rice from its board of directors or face unspecified “consequences.”

The president’s intervention marks a sharp escalation in the high-stakes corporate battle between Netflix and the Paramount-Skydance consortium for the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The move signals a reversal of Trump’s previous assertions that he would remain hands-off regarding the merger.

Both competing bids for the historic studio must secure approval from federal regulators before proceeding.

The US president intervened in the matter following a concerted push from MAGA influencer Laura Loomer. Amplifying a post by Loomer on his Truth Social platform that called for an immediate halt to the “Netflix-Warner Bros. merger,” Trump wrote:

“Netflix must fire the racist, anti-Trump Susan Rice IMMEDIATELY, or suffer the consequences. She has no talent or skill; she is a total political hacker!”

Rice served as National Security Advisor and US Ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama. She later headed the Domestic Policy Council under President Joe Biden. Having previously served on the Netflix board from 2018 to 2020, she was reappointed to the position in 2023.

Trump continued his critique of Rice’s influence, adding: “HER POWER IS GONE AND NEVER COMING BACK. How much is she being paid and for what???”

The confrontation follows remarks made by Rice on Thursday during a podcast hosted by Preet Bharara, the former US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Rice suggested that corporations “bending the knee to Trump” would face repercussions if the Democratic Party regained power in Washington. “They are going to be caught with more than their pants down,” she remarked.

Predicting a Democratic “accountability agenda,” Rice warned that companies should “save their documents” and “be ready for subpoenas.” She added: “If these companies think that when Democrats return to power, they’re going to play by the old rules… I think they’ve got another thing coming.”

On Saturday, Loomer—who holds no official government role but was instrumental last year in persuading Trump to purge certain US national security officials—released an extensive social media statement targeting the streaming service.

“Is Netflix standing by a board member who is threatening half the country with weaponized government and political retaliation for who they chose to vote for in a presidential election?” Loomer wrote. “This is as anti-American as it gets, and Netflix proves every day it is an anti-American, WOKE corporation.”

Loomer further alleged that a Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. would benefit Barack and Michelle Obama, claiming the company would saturate its services with “positive messaging” for Democrats.

The editorial broadsides come as WBD reopened sale negotiations with Paramount this week. The board has set a Monday deadline for David Ellison’s media group to submit a “best and final” offer to either surpass Netflix’s $83 billion bid or terminate its pursuit of the studio.

Paramount, backed by Oracle founder and prominent Trump donor Larry Ellison, had launched a “hostile” bid for WBD after being repeatedly rebuffed by the board in favor of the Netflix agreement.

WBD holds some of the world’s most lucrative intellectual property, including the Harry Potter and Friends franchises, alongside the HBO Max streaming service and prestige hits such as Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.

Paramount’s $108 billion offer cleared a significant domestic antitrust hurdle on Friday, with the US Department of Justice indicating it had completed its second-phase review.

Conversely, Netflix’s deal to acquire the studio is currently subject to an early-stage review by the Trump administration’s Justice Department to determine if the merger would stifle market competition.