Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos will participate in meetings at the White House on Thursday (26) to discuss the streaming giant’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. assets. Discovery and President Donald Trump’s demand to remove board member Susan Rice, the Politico this Wednesday (25).
In the fierce takeover race, Netflix offered $27.75 per share, or $82.7 billion, for Warner Bros.’ studio and streaming assets, while rival Paramount stepped up the competition on Monday with a higher offer of $31 per share for the entire company.
Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Trump demanded that Netflix fire Rice after she said companies that “kneel” to him could face consequences if Democrats regain power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Netflix should fire “racist, Trump-obsessed Susan Rice IMMEDIATELY or face the consequences,” echoing a post by right-wing activist Laura Loomer that he should block the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal.
However, Trump said earlier this month that he would stay out of the race for Warner Bros. and would let the Justice Department handle the case, reversing the position it expressed late last year when it said it would be involved in analyzing the settlement.
It was not immediately clear whether Sarandos would meet with Trump on Thursday, according to the report. Politicowhich cites two people familiar with the discussions.
The Justice Department’s antitrust division is reviewing Netflix’s proposed transaction, along with Paramount’s hostile bid.
The division head’s recent departure has increased uncertainty over law enforcement as companies step up lobbying around major merger cases.
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Paramount’s chief executive is David Ellison, whose father, billionaire and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, cultivated a close relationship with Trump.
