Donald Trump has urged Netflix to remove the Democratic foreign policy figure Susan Rice from its board, warning the streaming company to “face the consequences” as it battles to take control of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD).
Posting on his Truth Social platform, the US president described Rice as a “political hack” and claimed she had “no talent or skills”. Rice previously served as national security adviser to Barack Obama and as UN ambassador and senior White House adviser under Joe Biden.
Trump’s remarks mark a fresh intervention in the high-stakes takeover contest for WBD, which has pitted Netflix against a rival bid from Paramount Skydance. The comments come only weeks after Trump said he would not interfere in the deal.
In an interview with NBC News in early February, Trump said the justice department would handle any takeover of WBD, after earlier suggesting he would personally review the transaction. Any deal would require approval from federal regulators.
On Saturday, however, Trump returned to the issue, questioning Rice’s role at Netflix and asking: “How much is she being paid, and for what?” He added: “HER POWER IS GONE, AND WILL NEVER BE BACK.”
Rice first joined Netflix’s board in 2018, leaving in 2020 during the Biden administration. She returned in 2023 and currently sits on the company’s nominating and governance committee.
Her reappointment has drawn renewed attention after comments she made on a recent podcast, where she said corporations, law firms and media organisations that showed loyalty to Trump would be held to account if the Democrats returned to power.
Trump also reposted a message on X from the right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, who accused Rice and Netflix of being “anti-American” and of threatening voters with political retribution.
The intervention comes as Paramount Skydance faces a deadline to submit its best and final offer for WBD, competing with Netflix’s existing bid.
Paramount, controlled by the Ellison family, is seeking a $108.4bn (£80bn) takeover of WBD. The bid is backed by a personal $40bn guarantee from Larry Ellison, the Oracle co-founder.
Under the Netflix proposal, the company would gain control of WBD’s most valuable assets, including Warner Bros and its major film franchises such as Harry Potter, Superman and Batman. The deal would also include HBO, home to hit series such as Game of Thrones, The White Lotus and Succession.
The proposed tie-up between Netflix and WBD has prompted criticism from politicians and figures within the entertainment industry, who warn that a combined company could command close to half of the US streaming market.
