Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos meets Trump ahead of Warner Bros. acquisition

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos met Trump to discuss Warner Bros. acquisition before $82.7B deal was finalized

Netflix Inc. co-CEO Ted Sarandos met with former President Donald Trump at the White House in mid-November to discuss the ongoing auction of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., sources familiar with the meeting said.

The discussion reportedly focused on Netflix’s $82.7 billion offer to acquire Warner Bros., its content library, and streaming operations.

During the meeting, Trump expressed that Warner Bros. should sell to the highest bidder, while Sarandos emphasized that Netflix is not a monopoly and highlighted the company’s competition in both streaming and traditional television distribution. Sarandos also noted Netflix’s prior subscriber losses and positioned the acquisition as a strategic move to expand the platform’s content offerings and strengthen its position against rivals such as Amazon and Disney.

Netflix competed with Paramount and Comcast for Warner Bros., with Paramount submitting multiple bids backed by the Ellison family. Netflix ultimately submitted the highest offer, pledging primarily cash and a $5.8 billion breakup fee if the deal fails regulatory review. Warner Bros. confirmed Netflix as the winning bidder, ensuring a significant expansion of the streaming giant’s catalog, including HBO content, while preserving most studio employees.

The deal reflects Netflix’s broader strategy of acquiring established content libraries to enhance its global subscriber base, currently exceeding 300 million. While the acquisition awaits regulatory approval, the negotiation process highlights the increasing intersection of media, politics, and Silicon Valley streaming platforms in shaping the future of Hollywood.