US President Donald Trump has raised concerns over Netflix’s planned $72bn (£54bn) acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery’s movie studio and HBO streaming networks, citing potential competition issues.
Speaking at an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump highlighted Netflix’s “very big market share,” which he said would increase significantly if the deal is completed. He added that he would personally be involved in deciding whether the merger should be approved.
The deal, announced last Friday, would bring iconic franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, The Matrix, and Lord of the Rings under Netflix, creating a major new player in the media industry. The acquisition is still subject to approval by competition regulators and is expected to be finalized after Warner Bros splits its business in the second half of 2026.
Trump also praised Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who recently visited the Oval Office, calling him “a great person” and commending his work in the film industry. Sarandos said the deal positions Netflix for long-term growth despite surprising some investors.
Industry experts have commented on the potential antitrust implications. Blair Westlake, a former Universal Studios executive, said competition concerns will mainly focus on Netflix’s acquisition of HBO’s streaming business, as Netflix’s own production and content library are smaller than Warner Brothers’. He predicted the deal would likely be approved, but with possible concessions.
Bill Kovacic, a former Federal Trade Commission chair, noted that Trump’s involvement represents an unusually high level of presidential oversight in what is typically a technical review process handled by regulators.
Netflix secured the deal after outbidding rivals including Comcast and Paramount Skydance. The Writers Guild of America’s East and West branches have urged regulators to block the merger, warning it could reduce jobs, lower wages, harm working conditions, increase prices for consumers, and limit the diversity of content available to viewers.
If approved, the acquisition would be the largest in recent film industry history and solidify Netflix’s position as the world’s leading subscription streaming service.
