U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns over Netflix’s landmark $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s film studio division and the HBO Max streaming service, suggesting the deal may face hurdles during the antitrust review process.
Speaking at an event at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, Trump said that Netflix already commands “a very large market share,” and the proposed merger “could be a problem.” The transaction—one of the biggest ever in the entertainment sector—still requires approval from U.S. antitrust authorities.
Trump also indicated that the White House may play an active role in the negotiations surrounding the deal. He emphasized that he would be involved in deciding whether the merger should move forward, signaling what experts describe as unusually direct presidential influence on a traditionally technical process.
The President revealed that Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently visited the Oval Office, praising him as “a great man” who has achieved “one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema.”
A Deal That Could Reshape Global Streaming
Netflix, which began in 1997 as a DVD-by-mail service, has grown into the world’s largest subscription streaming platform. Acquiring HBO Max—one of its major competitors—would significantly expand its dominance.
The merger is expected to close in the second half of 2026, pending Warner Bros. Discovery’s completion of internal business separation. However, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division is likely to scrutinize whether the combined entity would control too much of the streaming market.
Experts Expect Approval—With Conditions
Industry veteran Blair Westlake, former chairman of Universal Studios’ television and networks group, told the BBC that although the deal will “likely be approved,” it will almost certainly come with restrictions or concessions.
Former Federal Trade Commission chairman Bill Kovacic noted that Trump’s remarks suggest merger discussions “will be conducted through the White House,” calling this an unprecedented level of presidential involvement in antitrust matters.
Writers Guild of America Opposes the Deal
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) issued a statement on Friday urging regulators to block the acquisition entirely, arguing that it would harm competition and negatively affect writers and creators in the industry.
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