US President Donald Trump is demanding that Netflix remove former national security adviser Susan Rice from its board of directors. His comments come as the streaming platform struggles to secure a deal and antitrust approval for its acquisition of Warner Bros. studios.
This is reported by The Wall Street Journal.
“Netflix must immediately fire racist, insane Susan Rice or face the consequences,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, calling the former Obama administration official a “political swindler.”
Trump's comments came in response to a post by his ally Laura Loomer, who criticized Rice and said Trump should block Netflix's deal with Warner. Loomer has pushed for the removal of several current national security officials who she says are disloyal to the president or his agenda.
Netflix has struck a $72 billion deal to acquire Warner's film and television studios, as well as the HBO Max streaming platform, which requires approval from the Department of Justice.
The company is also trying to hold off Paramount, which is seeking to buy the entire Warner company, including its cable division, which is home to CNN, TNT and other channels. Paramount's offer is valued at $77.9 billion.
According to the publication, Warner has agreed to give Paramount a seven-day negotiation period to submit its “best and final” offer, after which Netflix will have the right to double any offer.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US Department of Justice is examining whether Netflix's planned deal with Warner could entrench its market power or lead to a monopoly.
Susan Rice is a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was a member of Netflix's board of directors from 2018 to 2021, and rejoined in 2023. She previously served as the general trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center, which Trump was elected head of last year.
In December, the White House announced that the site would be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, although Democrats said its board did not have the authority to change the memorial's name, as mandated by law.