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US President Donald Trump has expressed serious concern over Netflix’s proposed seventy-two billion dollar acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery’s movie studio and HBO streaming networks.
He warned that the size of both companies and their combined influence could create a powerful media giant with the ability to dominate the entertainment industry.
Speaking during an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump noted that Netflix already controls a “very big market share,” which he believes would increase significantly if the merger is approved.
He hinted that he would take a personal interest in reviewing the deal, stressing that the potential competition issues cannot be ignored.
The acquisition, announced last Friday, would bring some of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises under Netflix. These include Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, The Matrix, and Lord of the Rings.
If allowed to proceed, the deal would reshape the global streaming landscape and position Netflix as a much larger content powerhouse.
The agreement is still awaiting regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized only after Warner Bros completes its business restructuring in the second half of 2026.
Trump’s mixed reaction did not end at criticism. He also praised Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who recently visited the Oval Office.
He described Sarandos as “a great person” and credited him with doing “one of the greatest jobs in the history of movies.” Sarandos, on his part, acknowledged that the merger announcement may have surprised investors but insisted that it would position Netflix for long-term stability and growth.
Industry analysts have already begun examining the potential antitrust implications. Blair Westlake, a former Universal Studios executive, explained that the main focus of regulators will likely be on the combination of Netflix’s streaming platform with HBO’s extensive library of premium content.
While Netflix produces original titles, its collection is still smaller than Warner Brothers’. Westlake predicted that the merger would probably be approved eventually, although the company may be forced to agree to some restrictions or concessions to ease competition concerns.
Another expert, Bill Kovacic, former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, noted that Trump’s public comments suggest an unusual degree of presidential involvement in what is normally a purely technical review by competition authorities.
He described it as an “unprecedented level of presidential control” that could influence how regulators approach the investigation.
Netflix reportedly won the acquisition after outbidding major rivals such as Comcast and Paramount Skydance. However, the Writers Guild of America, both East and West divisions, has strongly opposed the deal. The union argued that the merger could lead to massive job losses, lower wages, poorer working conditions, and higher prices for consumers.
They also warned that reducing the number of competing studios could limit the variety and diversity of content available to viewers worldwide.
If approved, the acquisition would be one of the biggest the film industry has seen in recent years and would solidify Netflix’s position as the world’s leading subscription streaming platform.
Regulatory bodies in the United States will now begin assessing whether the proposed merger violates antitrust laws, and the outcome is expected to determine the future shape of the entertainment industry.
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