Donald Trump Issues 6-Word Message That Could Halt Netflix Buying Warner Bros.
The entertainment industry was already reeling from the earth-shattering news of Netflix's deal to buy Warner Bros. and HBO. However, the proposed mega-merger just hit a massive, unexpected political roadblock. While new tidbits about the financials and details behind the deal, worth an eye-opening $82.7 billion, continue to trickle out, President Donald Trump has officially entered the chat. While addressing the agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, Dec. 7, Trump issued a six-word message that signals he has little interest in sitting on the sidelines. In fact, he made it known that it won't be the case.
'I'll Be Involved:' Breaking Down Trump’s Vow to Intervene
The president's comments regarding the agreement between Netflix and Warner Bros. turned more than a few heads. However, Trump has been actively involved in a broad range of areas outside of politics during his tenure as the President-elect. When directly asked whether Netflix should "be allowed" to buy Warner Bros., Trump gave a detailed answer, but it was his six-word sentence that grabbed attention almost immediately, as Fox News revealed.
"I'll be involved in that decision," Trump said of Netflix buying Warner Bros.
Here's a look at his complete response to the deal between Netflix and Warner Bros.:
"Well, that's the question; they have a very big market share," Trump said. "And when they have Warner Bros., you know that share goes up a lot. I don't know, that's going to be for some economists to tell...and I'll be involved in that decision. They have a very big market share."
Trump drove home his point by adding, "It could be a problem, yes."
Q: Should Netflix be allowed to buy Warner Brothers?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 7, 2025
TRUMP: That's a question. They have a very big market share. I'll be involved in that decision pic.twitter.com/pEgMxKi2XP
The blockbuster deal wouldn't close until late 2026 or early 2027, but it would include some significant programs alongside HBO. It would put a significant distance between Netflix and the next-closest competitor regarding the largest and most popular streaming subscription service on the market.
Details Emerge on Netflix Buying Warner Bros. for $82.7 Billion
While there's no shortage of pushback across the entertainment industry on the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal, the terms and reports surrounding it have added to the hot-button topic. Here are a few of the takeaways that jump out and various reports that have surfaced since the deal was announced.
- Netflix reportedly will continue to release films in theaters, but with shorter theatrical lengths. (Culture Crave)
- A Trump Administration regulator reportedly said Warner Bros. is "far more likely to collect its $5.8 billion breakup fee than get this Netflix deal through," according to Charles Gasparino of Fox Business.
- Netflix boss Ted Sarandos met with Trump in November and left with the impression Netflix wouldn't face opposition from the White House regarding the purchase, per Bloomberg.
- Netflix reportedly argued that YouTube is a bigger entertainment company than they are (Bloomberg)
Among the industry pushback that's surfaced following the news of the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal is the Writers Guild of America, which has stated that it "must be blocked." If the deal goes through, Netflix would acquire Warner Bros.' studio and streaming business, including HBO Max and HBO, as Time Magazine reported.
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